CEDAR CITY, Utah — The Thunderbirds earned a series win on Saturday, topping the Lancers in dramatic 6-5 fashion. Southern Utah trailed 5-1 entering the bottom of the seventh inning and came back to win it with a walk-off drive from sophomore Belle Freund. The Thunderbirds improved to 4-2 at home this season with a 4-5 record against WAC opponents.
Senior Laurie Cooke was explosive at the plate, racking up four hits during the day. Freshman Michaella Salvatierra and sophomore Arianna Ramirez each collected two hits in the game, and sophomore Kassidy Munoz grabbed two key RBIs late in the game. Sophomore Emily Delgado was key, pitching a complete game, allowing four earned runs on six hits, and striking out three batters.
Coach Don Don Williams Said
Game Summary
The game remained scoreless through the first two innings before Southern Utah struck first in the bottom of the third inning, as Arianna Ramirez doubled to bring home Laurie Cooke for a 1-0 lead.
California Baptist responded in the fifth inning, scoring two runs—one unearned—off a series of hits and aggressive baserunning to take a 2-1 advantage.
The Lancers extended their lead in the sixth with two more runs, making it 4-1, and added another in the seventh to go up 5-1.
In the bottom of the seventh, the Thunderbirds' offense came alive. Salvatierra, Cooke, and Ariyana Miranda all reached base by hitting singles, with Miranda's single scoring Salvatierra to cut the deficit to 5-2.
Ramirez was next and promptly walked to load up the bases before Kassidy Munoz delivered a clutch double, driving in two more runs to make it 5-4.
Looking to preserve the force out, the Lancers elected to intentionally walk senior Amyah Boostedt before surrendering a bases-loaded walk to Alayah Toscano to tie the game up at 5-5.
Sophomore Belle Freund stepped to the plate and drove a fly ball deep to right field, allowing the game-winning run to score, sealing the 6-5 victory for the Thunderbirds.
On Deck
The Thunderbirds have a bye week before heading south to take on top-25 ranked Grand Canyon in Phoenix. That series will begin on Friday, April 4, with a doubleheader at 4:30 p.m. MT. Southern Utah will continue that series with a single game on Saturday, April 5, at noon MT.
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