ST. GEORGE, Utah —The Thunderbirds split a mid-week doubleheader at Utah Tech on Tuesday. Game one went to the Trailblazers in a 5-0 shutout. However, the T-Birds wouldn't go away quietly, taking game two in commanding fashion, 10-0 in five innings.
Freshman Arianna Ramirez led the Thunderbirds at the plate with three total hits in the two games. Ramirez crushed a home run in game two and totaled four RBIs on the day. Junior Laurie Cooke also battled to two hits in the games, with two crucial RBIs coming in game two.
Freshman Emily Delgado started game one for the Thunderbirds. Delgado pitched 3.1 innings, surrendering four runs on six hits while striking out three in the loss. Junior Keimon Winston pitched the back half of game one, allowing just one run on one hit and striking out one. The start and win in game two went to Sophomore Delaney Baker, who pitched 3.1 innings, holding the Trailblazers scoreless while giving up five hits and striking out one. Delgado returned to the rubber to finish out the second game, pitching 1.2 innings and striking out three.
Coach Don Don Williams Said
"It was nice to come back and play a complete game. Delaney came out and gave us a good start, and it was a great team win over a team that we have struggled against in the past. The way the team bounced back showed what they are capable of."
Game 1 Summary
Southern Utah struggled to get the bats going in the first game today, only managing a pair of hits over seven frames. The Trailblazers took the early lead off an RBI double in the first inning by Lockard. Utah Tech extended its lead to 4-0 in the fourth inning, scoring three runs. In the top half of the fifth inning, the Thunderbirds looked to have something going with runners in scoring position but couldn't get the necessary hit to push a run across. The Trailblazers added one more run in the bottom of the fifth, and that would be enough for them to hang on to win 5-0.
Game 2 Summary
In a resounding display of offensive firepower, the Southern Utah softball team unleashed a relentless scoring spree against Utah Tech in game two. The onslaught commenced in the second inning, as freshman Taralyn Ollison seized an opportunity, reaching second base on an error while senior Bella Garcia scored. Moments later, Cooke's booming triple to right field drove in Ollison, followed by sophomore Emily Gonzalez's sharp single up the middle, further extending Southern Utah's lead. However, the highlight of the inning came with Ramirez's emphatic homer to right center, clearing the bases and propelling Southern Utah to a commanding 6-0 advantage. Southern Utah continued to pile on the runs in the third inning. Cooke's timely single, coupled with a fielding error, allowed both Ollison and Alayah Toscano to score. Gonzalez's aggressive baserunning on a fielder's choice brought another run across the plate before Karmyna Becerra's sacrifice fly and Ramirez's clutch single stretched the lead even further. Southern Utah secured a big-time 10-0 victory with relentless offensive pressure and solid defense.
Key Plays
Next Up
The Thunderbirds will continue their busy week with a single game on Wednesday, April 10, against Utah State at 1:00 p.m. MT at Kathryn Berg Field. Southern Utah will wrap up the week by taking on Seattle University at home in a weekend series on Friday and Saturday.
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