PALM SPRINGS, Calif. - The Southern Utah University softball team fought until the end in each of their contests on the first day of the Mary Nutter Classic; however, the Thunderbirds came up short, falling in both games.

The T-Birds started off the day with a game against California Riverside. Keimon Winston got the start on the mound and turned in a strong performance, giving up only four hits and two runs over 4.1 innings, while striking out two batters.

Southern Utah struggled to get going on offense against UC Riverside ace Chrys Hildebrand. The first three innings of action proved to be a true pitcher's duel as the two teams combined for no hits and no runs on offense. The Highlanders were able to break through in the fourth, though, off of a two-out, two-run home run by Gigi Araki. 

The T-Birds failed to get any offensive production in the fifth and sixth innings but refused to go down without a fight. In the top of the seventh, Josey White started off the inning with a single to left field. After a strikeout in the next at-bat, Dream Weaver smacked the first pitch she saw to right field, but unfortunately, the Highlanders were able to put together two perfect throws to tag pinch-runner and speedster Kylee Terrell out as she was trying to reach third. The game ended on the next at-bat, and California Riverside earned the victory by a final score of 2-0.

In the evening game, Southern Utah faced off against a very strong team in Long Beach State. The Beach had their bats going early, scoring seven runs in the first two innings to take a 7-0 lead.

The T-Birds yet again refused to go out quietly, rallying in the bottom of the third inning. Makall Whetten and Madison Sanders each drew a walk, and Terrell was hit by a pitch, loading the bases for Southern Utah with two outs. In need of a hit, Gianna Carosone stepped up to the plate and delivered for the Thunderbirds, crushing a ball to right field and scoring two runners to cut the LBSU lead to 7-2.

The Beach were able to pick up three more runs in the next frame, and Southern Utah failed to score in their next two at-bats, as Long Beach State went on to win, 10-2.

The Thunderbirds will play two more games tomorrow night, taking on UC San Diego at 6 p.m. MT, and Oregon State at 8:30 p.m. MT.

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