ST GEORGE, Utah - Down 3-1 in the top of the sixth inning with two T-Birds on base, freshman Riley Shue got the nod to pinch-hit in a critical moment. Shue came through with the biggest hit of her young career, crushing a pitch over the right-field wall to score three runs and give the Southern Utah University softball team a 4-3 lead that they would never relinquish, as they went on to pick up the win over Big Ten opponent Wisconsin.

The win was Southern Utah's second of the season and the team's first victory over a Power Five opponent this year. 

Gianna Carosone got things going early for SUU, lacing a single to right field on the game's first pitch. After a Jayne Sepulveda bunt moved Carasone to second, Makall Whetten reached first on an error, allowing Carasone to make her way to third. A wild pitch in the next at-bat allowed Carasone to cross home plate, giving the T-Birds a 1-0 lead in the first inning.

Keimon Winston received the start on the mound for SUU and held Wisconsin scoreless in their first two at-bats; however, the Badgers found their offensive rhythm in the bottom of the third, beginning the inning with a double down the left-field line. A single two batters later brought the lead-off runner home, tying the game again at one run apiece. Another double, this time to the right side of the field, put two runners on for Wisconsin. A sacrifice fly in the next at-bat gave them their first lead of the game.

Wisconsin tacked on another run in the fourth, as an error followed by a wild pitch allowed the second batter of the inning to reach first base and advance to second. A single by Ally Miklesh brought the runner home, resulting in a Badgers 3-1 lead entering the fifth.

After a scoreless fifth frame, Carosone had her second hit of the game in the top of the sixth, giving SUU a leadoff baserunner. Two at-bats later, Whetten was hit by a pitch for the fifth time in this tournament alone, placing runners on first and second base.

With one out and two on, Shue re-entered the game in one of the biggest moments of the season thus far. With the count at 2-2, Shue saw a pitch she liked and took it for a ride deep into right-field. All the Wisconsin outfielders could do was watch as it carried over the fence, bringing home three runs, and giving SUU a 4-3 lead. 

Wisconsin attempted to answer in the bottom of the sixth, beginning the inning with a leadoff single. After the T-Birds recorded an out, another single from the Badgers put runners on first and second. A walk in the next at-bat loaded the bases. SUU pitcher Grace Owen forced a ground ball to shortstop, and the middle infield of Carosone and Sepulveda turned a double play to perfection to get out of the jam.

The Thunderbirds failed to get anything going offensively in the top of the seventh, and the game came down to one final at-bat for Wisconsin. Owen shut down any thought of a Badger comeback, retiring the first three batters she faced, and Southern Utah held on to earn an impressive victory.

Owen collected the win on the mound, finishing with a stat line of three innings pitched while allowing three hits and no runs.

Notable Stats

• Gianna Carosone went 2-4 at the plate while also scoring two runs for the game.

• Riley Shue's home run was the first of her collegiate career.

• Makall Whetten has reached base an incredible nine times in only 13 trips to the plate throughout the Dixie State tournament. She now leads the team in OBP at .462.

• Grace Owen earned her first win of the season on the mound, allowing no runs over three innings of pitching in relief.

• Southern Utah tallied two stolen bases in the contest.

Up Next

Southern Utah will play their final game at the Dixie State Tournament tomorrow at 12:30 PM MT. The T-Birds will face Maine for the second time this weekend.

Follow Us

Stay up to date on the Thunderbird Softball season by following @SUUSoftball on Twitter and Instagram and liking the Southern Utah Softball page on Facebook.