SAN DIEGO, California — Southern Utah wrapped up the San Diego tournament with another win on Sunday, taking down Boise State 8-5. The Thunderbirds finished the weekend with a 3-1 record in San Diego and now sit at 5-6 overall on the year.
Junior Kassidy Munoz had a great day at the plate, picking up three hits and two RBI's in the game. Arianna Ramirez recorded two hits in the game, also driving in one run, and Alayah Toscano picked up one hit for two RBIs. The Southern Utah offense started fast, scoring all of its runs in the first and second innings and doing so without recording any extra-base hits.
In the circle, senior Delaney Baker got the start before being relieved by freshman Avery Nielson, who pitched four innings to earn the win. Sophomore Hannah Duncan came in to close the game, recording five outs, including a crucial strikeout. Duncan earned the save, her second of the season.
Coach Don Don Williams Said
"I am really proud of how we responded today. Boise State came out and grabbed the early momentum, but our hitters answered right away and set the tone in those first two innings. We talk all the time about passing the bat and trusting the next person in the lineup, and that's exactly what we did. I also thought our pitching staff competed well, and our defense made the plays we needed late. To go 3-1 on the weekend against quality competition says a lot about the direction of this team."
Game Summary
Boise State struck first in the top of the opening inning when Jorja Crider lifted a sacrifice fly to right field, bringing home the game's first run.
Southern Utah answered immediately in the bottom half. Arianna Ramirez delivered an RBI single to tie the game before Kassidy Munoz ripped a two-run single to right to put the Thunderbirds in front.
SUU continued to apply pressure with a run-scoring fielder's choice and an RBI single from Isabella Knight, capitalizing on timely hitting to build an early cushion.
The Broncos pushed a run across in the second on an RBI single to right, but the Thunderbirds once again responded. McKenzy Becerra drove in a run with a single, and Alayah Toscano followed with an RBI knock down the line, as Southern Utah extended its lead with another strong offensive frame.
Boise State cut the lead to four in the top of the fourth with a two-run single to left center. In the following inning, the Broncos added one more run on a sacrifice fly to make the score 8-5.
The Thunderbirds' defense finished off the game with a pair of shut-down innings to take home the win.
On Deck
The Thunderbirds head to Tempe, Arizona, next weekend to compete in the Arizona State Tournament, opening play Friday, February 20, at 12:45 p.m. MT against New Mexico State University before facing host Arizona State University later that evening. Southern Utah returns to the field Saturday morning to take on the University of Michigan, then faces New Mexico State again, and will close out the tournament Sunday morning with a rematch against Michigan.
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