LAS VEGAS, Nevada — Southern Utah battled to an extra-inning loss against UNLV on Sunday afternoon, dropping the game 7-6 in nine innings. Southern Utah finishes the weekend with a 1-4 record, while the Rebels improved to 3-2 for the tournament. 

Freshman  Tawnie Mozeris delivered the most clutch hit of the weekend for the T-Birds, a grand slam that put Southern Utah within striking distance in the sixth inning. Redshirt senior  Ariyana Miranda and senior Amyah Boostedt each contributed two doubles, with Miranda adding an RBI. Senior Laurie Cooke also chipped in with a double, helping power the Thunderbirds at the plate.

Sophomore Emily Delgado started in the game, going 3.2 innings and surrendering four runs on four hits while striking out two. Senior Keimon Winston pitched 4.1 innings, giving up four hits and three runs, only one of which was earned. 

Coach Don Don Williams Said

"The team showed a lot of grit and perseverance today. There were so many positives in this game that we will build on going into next weekend."

Game Summary vs. UNLV

The Rebels jumped out to an early lead, scoring two runs in the first inning. UNLV followed that up by scoring another run in the bottom of the second. 

The Thunderbirds posed a significant threat, loading the bases in the top of the third, but the Rebels shut them down without surrendering a run. 

UNLV added another run in the bottom of the fourth inning to make the score 4-0. The Rebels wouldn't stop there as they added another run in the fifth via the home run. 

Back-to-back hits for the T-Birds put two runners in scoring position. Following a walk for Alayah Toscano, freshman Tawnie Mozeris stepped to the plate and drove a grand slam over the left-field fence. 

Amyah Boostedt cracked a long double to left-center field in the top of the seventh. Ariyana Miranda was up to bat next and hit a long double to the right-center gap to tie the game at 5-5. 

Following a leadoff walk for the Rebels, the Thunderbirds turned a double play to clear the bases, and a fly ball to center field sent the game to extra innings. 

Freshman Michaella Salvatierra grounded out to second base, moving the runner to third, and a passed ball scored the run to give the T-Birds their first lead of the game.

The Rebels tied the game again with a single up the middle, but solid pitching from senior Keimon Winston stopped UNLV and pushed the game into the ninth inning. The Rebels were able to keep the Thunderbirds from scoring, and in the bottom of the ninth inning, they walked off with a single up the middle.  

Next Up

The T-Birds will be on the road again next weekend at the Long Beach Louisville Slugger Invitational in Long Beach, California. Southern Utah will take on a variety of teams in the three-day tournament, including Kansas, Oregon State, Iowa State, Saint Mary's, and California. The Thunderbirds will open the tournament against Kansas on Friday, February 14, at 5:30 p.m. MT. 

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