CEDAR CITY, Utah – The Southern Utah Softball team dropped a doubleheader to begin the series with Utah Tech. The final of game one was 13-3 while game two came in much closer at 9-6.
In game one, the Thunderbirds trailed 8-0 in the bottom of the fifth inning and required some offense to extend the game. Freshman third baseman Emily Gonzalez stepped to the plate and delivered a three-run home run.
The relentless offense for Utah Tech would bounce right back in the top half of the sixth scoring five runs to put the pressure back on the T-Birds. Though Southern Utah was able to get baserunners the Trailblazers would eventually secure the final out needed to finish the game.
In game two, Southern Utah would jump out to an early lead behind a solo home run off the bat of Gonzalez. The Trailblazers tied the game at one in the top half of the third inning on a double down the right-field line.
In the home half of the third inning, sophomore second baseman Jayne Sepulveda laid down a beautiful sacrifice bunt to advance runners to second and third with one out. Junior outfielder Allie Laub would follow that up with an outstanding bunt of her own to score sophomore Sophia Masut and give the T-Birds back the lead. Southern Utah would score again on a hard ground ball up the middle by junior Capri Franzen.
The Trailblazers would come roaring back and take a significant lead scoring two runs in each of the next four innings to make the score 9-3. Trailing by six in the bottom of the seventh inning with two outs and runners on first and second Gonzalez once again connected for her third home run of the day making the score 9-6. Utah Tech would hold on to win however, grabbing the final out two batters later.
Gonzalez led the Thunderbirds at the plate with four hits and seven RBIs on the day. Franzen also picked up two hits and an RBI during today's contests.
HOME RUNS
NEXT UP
The Thunderbirds will continue the series with Utah Tech Sunday at noon. Following the series finale on Sunday, Southern Utah will recognize the Graduating Seniors from the class of 2023. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and live stats can be found at suutbirds.com.
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