CEDAR CITY, Utah – The Southern Utah Softball team wrapped up the weekend series at Abilene Christian on Sunday afternoon. The T-Birds finished the series with a 5-1 loss.

The Thunderbirds were led at the plate this weekend by junior outfielder Allie Laub and sophomore second baseman Jayne Sepulveda who each collected three hits on the weekend. Freshman Riley Nielson also stepped up in a big way this weekend with a pinch-hit two-run home run that helped spark the offense in the first game of the series.  

GAME RECAP

The Thunderbirds started the game well loading up the bases but failing to score in the first inning. The Wildcats bounced back right away, scoring a three-run home run in the home half of the first inning. 

The next three innings passed quickly and quietly with no runs scored by either side. In the top of the fifth inning, Sepulveda stepped to the plate and smashed a solo home run to make the score 3-1. ACU would answer quickly, picking up two more runs in the bottom half of the inning. 

After a quick sixth inning, the Thunderbirds were down to their last three outs. Despite a solid double by junior shortstop Miranda Lopez, the T-Birds were unable to score, ending the game 5-1 in favor of the Wildcats. 

Southern Utah outhit Abilene in the game picking up six hits. The key however was timing as the Thunderbirds stranded seven runners in the game. The loss went to sophomore Keimon Winston who started the game but only went 1.1 innings giving up three runs. 

NEXT UP

The Thunderbirds will continue WAC play next week with a home series against Stephen F. Austin. The three-game series will consist of a doubleheader on Friday, March 31, and a single game on Saturday, April 1. All three games will be broadcast on ESPN+.

FOLLOW US

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