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Thunderbirds' 2007 ResultsThunderbirds Claim First Ever NCAA Tournament Win But BYU Eliminates 'Birds In Game Two
Erin Niederhauser drove in five runs in the win over Cal Poly, singling in a pair in the first inning, hitting a solo home run in the third, then driving in two more with another single in the sixth. Cassie Cresswell also went deep for the Thunderbirds, belting a three-run home run in the fourth. Niederhauser’s first-inning single drove in Cresswell and Rodeo Carli to stake SUU to a 2-0 lead, a lead it would not relinquish. After Cal Poly scored a run in the top of the second Niederhauser pushed the Thunderbird edge back to two with her home run in the third, then in the fourth Cresswell hit one deep in dead center field to give the Thunderbirds a 6-1 advantage. Cal Poly scored another run to pull within 6-2 in the sixth but the Thunderbirds tacked on three more in the bottom of the frame on Lindi Kennedy’s RBI fielder’s choice and Niderhauser’s RBI single. Cal Poly rallied for two runs in the seventh, chasing SUU starter Krsitina Brooks but Marissa Gonzalez came on in relief to shut the door and preserve the win. Brooks scattered eight hits in 6.1 innings to pick up the win and improve to 16-15 on the season, while Jenna Maiden, who lasted just two-thirds on an inning for the Mustangs, took the loss, finising her season at 13-4 and Cal Poly’s at 39-17. The SUU/BYU game was sloppy as each team committed five errors and the Thunderbirds stranded 10 runners. Southern Utah held a 4-1 lead over BYU after scoring three runs in the bottom of the fourth. Niederhauser broke a 1-1 tie when she came home on a passed ball, then Karli Jensen scored on a throwing error and Marci Pratt singled to drive in Bobbi Joe Merrill to make it 4-1. The Cougars came back in the top of the fifth, however, scoring five runs on an error, three singles and a Dani Snow home run. After the Cougars added two more runs in the sixth to go up 8-4 the Thunderbirds loaded the bases with just one out but failed to take advantage of the opportunity. BYU scored two more in the top of the seventh and although Kennedy scored on Merrill’s sacrifice fly in the bottom of the inning it was as close as the Thunderbirds could get. “You can’t make five errors and expect to win an NCAA tournament game, especially on the road,” SUU Coach Jodi Jackson said. “I thought we played very well against Cal Poly and Arizona State [Friday] but we struggled with the little things against BYU and you can’t give a team that hits as well as they do extra opportunities. “I’m proud of the way we competed though, there were a lot of questions about this team early in the season but our players continued to believe and we accomplished a lot,” she went on to say. “The first NCAA post-season win in the program’s history is a huge accomplishment and although our players are a little down right now, with time they’ll come to appreciate what they’ve done.” Kristina Brooks took the loss in relief of starter Marissa Gonzalez, dropping to 16-16 on the season, while Christina Gwyn picked up the win in relief of Christie Zinati to improve to 17-9. SUU ended its season 30-31 while BYU, which meets Arizona State in the championship Saturday, improved to 43-19. Cal Poly Box Score Sun Devils Edge T-Birds In Nine InningsPROVO, Utah, May 17 – Rhianon Baca drove in Mindy Cowles with two out in the bottom of the ninth inning Wednesday to lift seventh-seeded Arizona State to a 2-1 win over Southern Utah in the first round of the NCAA softball tournament. The first-round regional is being played at Gail Miller Field on the campus of Brigham Young University. The underdog Thunderbirds gave the nation’s ninth-ranked team all it wanted as two SUU pitchers combined to throw a four-hitter, nearly matching PAC-10 Pitcher of the Year Katie Burkhart, who gave up just two hits. Kristina Brooks had a no-hitter going through the first three innings before Kaitlin Cochran, the nation’s leading hitter, led off the fourth with a ground ball between first and second base for the game’s first hit. Although Cochran advanced to second on a sacrifice and Cowles reached after being hit by a pitch, the Sun Devils weren’t able to capitalize as Brooks got Kristin Miller to pop up, then SUU right fielder Rodeo Carli made a running catch on an Ashley Crabb fly ball in foul territory for the third out. Southern Utah drew first blood in the game, taking a 1-0 lead in the fifth inning when Erin Niederhauser scored on a throwing error by Miller, the ASU catcher, who was trying to throw out a stealing Karli Jenson. Miller’s thow bounced and careened into center field, allowing Niederhauser to score from third base. Baca evened the score for the Sun Devils in the bottom of the inning, however, sending a 3-2 Brooks curveball deep over the centerfield fence. Baca and Brooks battled through an 11-pitch at-bat before Baca came out on top with the home run. SUU Coach Jodi Jackson went to her bullpen one batter later, bringing in Marissa Gonzalez, who allowed just a walk and an intentional walk until the ninth inning, when Cowles led off with a single. Cowles moved up on a sacrifice, then took third on a groundout and scored on Baca’s single, a hit which again came on a 3-2 count, this time with two away. “Our two pitchers aren’t giving themselves enough credit right now, but they both pitched really well,” Jackson said. “We didn’t get any strikeouts but we made them swing the bats, we made them hit it at people and our fielders made plays. [Baca’s] home run was just a good hit, it was a good pitch, down in the zone, but [Baca] went down and got it.” Burkhart limited SUU to an infield hit by Karli Jenson and a bunt single by Bobbi Jo Merrill. She tied a personal-best with 23 strikeouts, a total that ranks sixth in NCAA history. Southern Utah will play at least one more game in the tournament. The Thunderbirds will face the loser of Friday’s BYU/Cal Poly game at 2:30 Friday afternoon. Thunderbirds' Big 4th Brings Home Championship, Second Straight NCAA Tournament BidSHREVEPORT, La, May 12– Southern Utah’s softball team brought home its second-consecutive Mid-Continent Conference Softball Tournament Championship with a 5-1 decision against Oakland Saturday afternoon. With the win SUU earns the league's automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament. The 64-team bracket will be announced on Sunday, May 13, between 3-4 p.m. (EDT) on ESPNews. The Thunderbirds now stand 29-29 on the season heading into the Regional Tournament while Oakland ends its season 21-36. Bobbie Jo Merrill earned Tournament MVP honors after going 3-for-7 (.429) with two homers, seven RBI, two runs scored and a stolen base during the Mid-Con Tournament. Other Thunderbirds joining Merrill on the all-tournament team are Lindi Kennedy, Marci Pratt, Erin Niederhauser, and Kristina Brooks. Oakland took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second on one hit and one SUU error, but wound up stranding two runners. In the top of the fourth Rodeo Carli drew a walk and advanced to second on Pratt's sacrifice bunt. Kennedy was then hit by a pitch to put two SUU runners on. Karli Jenson reached on a fielder’s choice and advanced all the runners to fill the bases. Niederhauser then drove in two with a single down the left field line, to stake the T-Birds to a 2-1 lead. Merrill then cleared the bases with her 13th home run of the season to give the 'Birds the 5-1 lead. The next three and a half innings were three up three down as Krinsing Brooks sealed the deal to even her record at 15-15. Kristina Brooks sturkc out four with nor walks while limiting the Grizzlies to just three hits. OU's Jessica Granger took the loss, ending her season 19-16. T-Birds Top Western Illinois 2-1, Advance to Mid-Con Championship GameSHREVEPORT, La, May 11 – Southern Utah’s Caroline Fernandez hit a walk off single in the seventh to send Southern Uta to a 2-1 victory over Western Illinois and into the champonshp game of the Mid-Continent Conference tournament for the second straight year. SUU will meet the winner of game five -- either Western Illinois or Oakland who play at noon (CDT) on Saturday -- at 2:30 p.m. The 'Birds improved to 28-29 while Western dropped to 23-22. SUU scored its first run in the fourth inning when Marci Pratt led off with a double to left center then came in when Erin Niederhauser singled up the middle. Western tied it up in the sixth on two hits and a hit by pitch but SUU's defense stuck it out and got the third out. Western threatened to score again in the seventh and led off with a single up the middle, but Head Coach Jodi Jackson made a pitching change, pulling Kristina Brooks and bringing on Marissa Gonzalez in for relief. Gonzalez allowed one hit which put two runners on, and SUU's defense committed two errors to allow the runners to advance each a base. Gonzalez pulled it together, however, forcing a fly ball to center and striking out the last batter. In the bottom of the seventh Fernandez singled down the right field line to bring in pinch-runner Trish Clapham to end the game. Gonzalez earned the win in relief, improving to 13-11, while Kamren Ferguson took the loss to drop to 15-7. T-Bird Bats Heat Up In Mid-Con Opener, SUU Downs Oakland 9-0SHREVEPORT, La, May 11 – Southern Utah’s bats were smoking in the Mid-Continent Conference opener Friday afternoon as the Thunderbirds belted four home runs in a 9-0 mercy-rule win over Oakland. Mid-Con Player of the Year Marci Pratt and Lindi Kennedy hit back-to-back shots in the third inning to stake the Thunderbirds to a 3-0 lead. Pratt started the onslaught, belting a two-run homer after Rodeo Carli had doubled, then Kennedy, who led the league in home runs and RBI, followed with her 15th round-tripper and 56th RBI of the season. SUU tacked on two more runs in the fourth when Cassie Cresswell hit a two-run blast, then in the bottom of the fifth Bobbi Jo Merrill ended the game when her grand slam gave the T-Birds the 9-0 advantage. Merrill’s shot came with Kennedy, Karli Jenson and Erin Niederhauser on base. Kristina Brooks gave up two hits and walked two in picking up the complete-game victory and moving to 14-15 on the season. Oakland’s Jessica Granger gave up the first five runs and took the loss, dropping to 17-15 on the year. SUU improved to 27-29 with the win while Oakland dipped to 19-35. The Thunderbirds will face fellow first-round leader and regular-season champion Western Illinois at 6:00 p.m. this afternoon, following the first elimination game, which pits Oakland against host Centenary. T-Birds Sweep UMKC, Wrap Up Mid-Con's Second SeedKANSAS CITY, Mo., May 5 – Southern Utah’s softball team completed a three-game sweep of Mid-Continent Conference foe Missouri-Kansas City Saturday, taking both ends of a double-header following a 1-0 win Friday night. SUU had 10 hits in taking an 8-1 win in the opener, then came back with 10 more in the nightcap in a 6-0 victory. SUU improved to 25-29 overall and moved into second place in the Mid-Con with a 12-6 conference mark. UMKC dropped to 4-46 and 1-15 in conference play. The Thunderbirds – who saw a string of four consecutive regular-season conference championships come to an end this year -- will face either Oakland or Valparaiso in the first round of the Mid-Con tournament, which begins next Friday in Shreveport, La. In the first game, Kristina Brooks scattered four hits and struck out four while SUU tallied 10 hits, including four doubles, as the Thunderbirds cruised to the 8-1 win. Lindi Kennedy doubled twice and drove in a pair of runs and Cassie Cresswell and Bobbi Jo Merrill each doubled as well. The Thunderbirds scored four runs in the second, one in the first and two in the fourth to take a 7-0 lead before UMKC finally got on the board in the fifth. UMKC was holding graduation ceremonies Saturday and was without its seniors when the game started. SUU took advantage as the ‘Roos committed four errors, which contributed to three unearned runs. Brooks improved to 13-15 with her fourth straight win while Alicia Baker took the loss, dropping to 0-8 on the season. Game two was a pitchers’ battle as Marissa Gonzalez and UMKC’s Cori Mead each threw five scoreless innings until Merrill led off the sixth with a double then came home on a McKell Ashton single. SUU added five more in the top of the seventh on RBI singles by Erin Niederhauser and Caroline Fernandez and a three-run Ashton home run. Gonzalez gave up seven hits but struck out eight and didn’t walk a batter in improving to 12-11 on the season while Mead, who tallied eight strikeouts of her own, fell to 2-10. Oakland (8-7 Mid-Con) hosts Valpo (7-8) in a three-game series with large ramifications beginning Sunday. If Oakland wins one or two games the Grizzlies will enter the tournament as the third seed and Valpo will be eliminated. If Valparaiso wins all three games, however, Oakland will be eliminated and the Crusaders would be the third seed. In any case, tournament host Centenary, which finished its conference schedule at 6-6 after seeing six games washed out by weather, will be the fourth seed, and Western Illinois, which compiled an 11-2 league mark, will be the top seed. Kennedy's 14th Home Run Breaks Record, Wins GameKANSAS CITY, Mo. May 4-- Lindi Kennedy broke theSUU single season home run record Friday, sending her 14th on the year over the fence in a 1-to-0 decision over UMKC. Southern Utah improved to 24-29,10-6 Mid-Con, with now its longest winning streak of the season of four, while UMKC drops to 4-44,1-13 Mid-Con. SUU out-hit UMKC 4-3 with as Kennedy went 2-for-3 on the day while McKell Ashton and Trish Clapham each went 1-for-2. Kennedy hit her long bomb in the second to go up 1-0 but that was all that the 'Birds could bring in. Kristina Brooks pitched a complete game with three strikeouts and only allowed three hits with no walks to earn the win to improve to 12-15. UMKC's Christie Sotelo took the loss to drop to 0-6. Brooks Pitches a No-Hitter, Gonzalez Strikes Out 11, Pratt and Kennedy Tie Home Run RecordsCEDAR CITY, Utah, April 28– Southern Utah swept IUPUI 8-0 and 5-2 Saturday afternoon on senior day at Kathryn Berg Field. The Thunderbirds got stellar performances both in the circle and at the plate Saturday as Kristina Brooks threw a complete-game no-hitter in game-one and Marissa Gonzalez struck out 11 in game two. At the plate, Marci Pratt tied the SUU career home runs record (tying current student assistant Tiffany Burt) when she took IUPUI's Breanna Howell deep in the fifth inning of game one, while Lindi Kennedy tied Pratts's single-season record (seet last year) with her 13th homer, a solo shot in the third inning against the jaguars' Jessica McGown. The Thuderbirds also broke the team home run record as Kennedy's shot gave the 'Birds 59 on the season, eclipsing last year's record 58. The Thunderbirds improved to 23-29, 9-6 in the Mid-Continent Conference while the Jaguars dropped to 12-31, 4-8 Mid-Con. In game one SUU connected with the ball 13 times to plate eight runs in six innings in the shutout. Rodeo Carli went 3-for-4 during the game with one RBI while Cassie Cresswell, Marci Pratt, McKell Ashton, and Trish Clapham all went 2-for-3. Pratt drove in three runs and Ashton drove in two. In the first the 'Birds plated two on two hits and two errors. Throughout the game SUU's defense didn't allow any runners on until the fourth and never allowed a hit as Brooks struck out six and walked just two to earn the complete-game no-hitter. The 'Birds continued to score plating one in the fourth on an Ashton single to drive in Erin Niederhauser and Pratt tied the record in the fifth. Going into the bottom of the sixth the 'Birds led 4-0 and plated four more to end the game with the mercy rule of eight runs after five innings. Ashton, Clapham and Cresswell all singled to drive in runs, and Pratt doubled to bring in a run. Brooks earned the win to improve to 11-15 while Angelica Espinosa took the loss to drop to 6-4. In game two the 'Birds connected 11 times to plate five runs in the 5-2 decision. Erin Niederhauser, McKell Ashton and Trish Clapham all went 2-for-3 with each driving in one run. Marissa Gonzalez pitched a complete game with 11 strikeouts while only walking two. In the first inning Gonzalez struck out the first three batters, two swinging and one looking. The 'Birds kept the momentum and plated two runs on a single and two doubles. Kennedy gave the team a 3-0 edge with her round-tripper in the third, then both Ashton and Clapham doubled in the fifth to bring in a run a piece. IUPUI plated their only two runs of the day in the sixth on three hits. Gonzalez earned the win toeven her record at 11-11 while Jessica McGown took the loss to drop to 0-11. 'Birds Take Home Game One vs. IUPUICEDAR CITY, Utah, April 27– Southern Utah out hit IUPUI 10-6 Friday afternoon at the Kathryn Berg Field to take the win in a 7-5 decision. With umpire Ray Meibos behind the plate calling a tight strike zone the 'Birds improve to 21-29, 7-6 Mid-Con while IUPUI dropped to 12-29, 4-6 Mid-Con. SUU led off in the first with three hits to bring in one run and in the second Cassie Cresswell hit her seventh home run of the season to bring in two more runs. The Jaguars tied it up in the third on triple and a double and two walks. SUU took the lead again in the fourth when Rodeo Carli singled to bring in Trish Clapham, who drew a walk. In the fifth SUU plated two more runs on two hits, a single by Karli Jenson and a triple by Lindi Kennedy, and a passed ball. IUPUI came with in one run in the sixth when SUU pitcher Marissa Gonzalez couldn't get a call and walked one run in and allowed one hit. Marci Pratt hit a triple down the left field line in the sixth to bring in Carli who drew a walk with two outs. Gonzalez retired IUPUI's third out with a strike out to end the game. Kristina Brooks pitched the first five inning with four strikeouts for the 'Birds before Marissa Gonzalez came in for relief and struck out three batters. Brooks earned the win to improve to 10-15 while Gonzalez earned the save. Howell took the loss to drop to 6-14. An Almost SplitPROVO, Utah, April 24– Southern Utah and Brigham Young squared off in a double header Tuesday afternoon at the Gail Miller Field. BYU shutout SUU in the first game in five innings 8-0 but SUU came back and led the second game until falling behind in the sixth inning, then wasn't able to score in the seventh and wound up taking the loss, 6-5. SUU dropped to 20-29 while the Cougars improved to 31-16. SUU's only hit in the first game was in the first inning when Cassie Cresswell led off with a hit. BYU's Christie Zinanti held off the Birds the rest of the game and struck out five batters to earn the win. BYU plated three in the first on a home run, two in the second taking advantage of a SUU error and three hits, and three in the fifth on a double to clear the loaded bases. In the sixth the first runner got on by an error and SUU's Kristina Brooks hit the next two batters with a pitch to load the bases. Brooks pitched a complete game and took the loss to drop to 9-14 while walking none and striking out three. Zinanti earned the win to improve to 12-6. In game two SUU wasn't about to be shut out again and plated a run in the first when former BYU player Lindi Kennedy singled to bring in a run. BYU had the bases loaded, but was only able to score one run to tie it up in the bottom of the first. SUU took advantage of a BYU error to score one and Cassie Cresswell hit a long bomb over the right field fence to bring in two more to go up by three in the second. SUU brought in another run in the third on another BYU error and a hit. BYU held off the 'Birds for the rest of the game and slowly chipped away at the lead. In the sixth the Cougars went ahead on a two-run shot by Jodi Norton to take their first lead in the game. Kristina Brooks pitched another complete game but took the loss to drop to 9-15. Zinanti came in for relief and earned her second win of the day to improve to 13-6. T-Birds And Westerwinds Split Double-HeaderCEDAR CITY, Utah, April 21– Southern Utah and Western Illlinois both found themselves on the dominating end of one game in a double-header Saturday as both games ended via the mercy rule, SUU took the first 14-6 in six innings and Western took the second game 9-0 in five innings. SUU out hit Western 14-8 in game one and Western out hit SUU 8-5, while in game one Western committed four errors and in game two it was SUU committing four. SUU improved to 20-27, 6-6 Mid-Con while Western improved to 17-20, 8-2 Mid-Con. In game one SUU started strong, plating six runs in the first inning on four hits. SUU pitcher Kristina Brooks took a line drive straight to the kneecap In the second inning but continued to pitch, allowing one run that inning. SUU then continued to bring in the runs, plating two runners in the second and four more in the third. In the third Cassie Cresswell hit a line drive down the right field line with one runner on and was able to make it all the way around for an inside-the-park home run. In the fourth Western was able to bring in three runs on three hits to make it 12-4. SUU plated one run in the bottom of the fourth when Bobbie Jo Merrill hit a long bomb over the center field fence to put the 'Birds up by 9. SUU just needed to hold the Westerwinds off to end the game after five innings but they were able to bring in two to go into the sixth. McKell Ashton drew a walk and came in on an error to end the game. Kristina Brooks pitched a complete game to earn the win to improve to 9-13. Western used four different pitchers throughout the game but King took the loss to drop to 2-6. Game two was a completely different story. Western's pitcher Kamren Ferguson pitched a shutout while the Westerwinds plated four in the first, three in the third, and two in the fifth. SUU had several chances to score but stranded six runners on the bag. Defensively the 'Birds allowed four unearned runs on four errors through out the game to take the loss. Marissa Gonzalez took the loss to drop to 10-11 while Ferguson picked up the win and improved to 11-5 with four strikeouts. 7th Inning Defeat to Western IllinoisCEDAR CITY, Utah, April 20 – Southern Utah out-hit the Westerwinds 12-10 but stranded eight runners and committed two errors while the Westerwinds only stranded three runners and didn't commit any errors. Both Rodeo Carli and Marci Pratt went 3-4 at the plate while Lindi Kennedy went 2-3. The 'Birds drop to 19-25,5-5 Mid-Con while Western Illinois improved to 16-19,7-1 Mid-Con. In the first Carli doubled and came in on a single by Pratt, but in the second Western lead off with a home run to tie up the game. In the third Western hit in two more runs on two hits to go up 3-1. SUU took one back in their half of the inning when Pratt doubled to bring in Cassie Cresswell who singled on. In the fourth Western put another two on the board on two more hits. Kennedy led off with a home run followed by a triple by Bobbie Jo Merrill who twisted her ankle rounding third. McKell Ashton doubled to center field to bring in a runner and Rodeo Carli tied it up when she singled up the middle. In the sixth the 'Birds had a chance to take the lead on two out rally Cresswell singled followed by Carli and Pratt to load the bases with our number four hole hitter Karli Jenson up to bat, Western Illinois pitcher Kamren Ferguson struck Jenson out on a 1-2 count. With Marissa Gonzalez back in the game despite being sick allowed two home runs to bring in four runs while the 'Birds committed one error to lose the edge. In the bottom half of the seventh with one out Kennedy drew a walk but Merrill hit a line drive to third who then threw out Kennedy on first to end the game. Marissa Gonzalez took the loss to drop to 10-10 with five strikeouts, one walk. But she allowed nine hits. Kamren Ferguson pitched a complete game threw 141 pitched with ten-strike outs while only walking two. Split With RebelsCEDAR CITY, Utah, April 18– In the two game 42 runs were scored between the two teams in a split Wednesday afternoon against UNLV. The Rebels took the first game in a close decision 12-11 and the Thunderbirds finished up the second game 12-7. The wind gust up to 25 mph but two teams duked it out until the very end with the first game running two hours and forty minutes and the second game running 2 hours and fifteen minutes. The 'Birds improved to 19-25 while the Rebels improved to 31-18. In game one UNLV took off in the first plating two quick runs on four hits. SUU answered right back in their half of the inning on a three-run homer over the center field fence by Erin Niederhauser. The Rebels tied it up in the second on two hits and an SUU error. In the third SUU went up by three after Marci Pratt homered to bring in two and Bobbie Jo Merrill doubled up the middle to bring in the third run. UNLV had a big fourth inning and plated six on five hits and an SUU error. The 'Birds came with in one in the fifth on a Merrill home run, but the Rebels went back up by three in the sixth on a two-RBI shot over the fence. The 'Birds tied it up in the sixth taking advantage of two UNLV errors and a triple by Pratt and a single by Merrill. In the seventh UNLV plated their last run on a triple to right center. In SUU's half of the inning SUU tried to come back on a two out rally and the bases loaded but UNLV's pitcher pitched a wicked change up to end the game with a strike out. Gonzalez took the loss in relief after pitching three innings to drop to 10-9. Slettvet picked up the win with seven strikeouts but walked five to improve to 8-5. In game two SUU struck first on a two-RBI dinger by Karli Jenson in the first. In the second UNLV plated three to go up by one on two hits and one SUU error. SUU's biggest inning was in the second when they plated five on five hits and one error. Lindi Kennedy leads off with a single up the middle followed by Merrill who singled to left. Cassie Cresswell put the ball over the fence to plate three. The last two runs of the inning come in on the error. The Rebels slowly chipped away at SUU's lead and plated one in the third, two in the fourth and one more in the fifth to tie up the game 7-7. SUU came right back and plated two in the fifth when Merrill drew a walk with the bases loaded and a sacrifice fly by McKell Ashton. UNLV tried to fight back but SUU wouldn't allow it. In the bottom of the sixth SUU plated their last three run on four hits and held off the rebels in the seventh to end the game. Kristina Brooks earned the win after pitching half the game in relief with three strikeouts, no walks, and allowing only three hits. UNLV used all four pitchers but Bregante took the loss to drop to 12-8. Bats Run Dry Against BYUCEDAR CITY, Utah, April 17– Brigham Young out-hit Southern Utah 21-8 in a pair of make-up games Tuesday afternoon to drop the 'Bird by two. The Cougars had 14 hits in game one in a 11-2 decision and seven hits in the second game in a 4-0 shut out. The Thunderbirds drop to 18-24 while the Cougars improve to 25-16. In game one Brigham Young took it to the 'Birds two at a time. In the third, fourth, and sixth innings the Cougars plated two each inning and five in the seventh to make eleven runs. In the third pitcher Kristina Brooks took a line drive to her right shoulder but continued to pitch till the end of the fourth till Bobbie Jo Merrill came in for relief. Merrill ended up going 2-3 in the game while the only other SUU hits were by Caroline Fernandez, Mckell Ashton, and Karli Jenson. SUU prevented the shut out and plated their only two runs in the seventh when Fernandez lead off with a single who Trish Clapham pinch ran for, and Ashton drew a walk followed by Rodeo Carli. With one two Jenson hit a line drive up the middle which brought in two runs but Rodeo Carli was caught off the bag to get the third out. Brooks took the loss to drop to 7-13 and Christie Zinanti picked up the win to improve to 9-6. Game two was three up three down for the first three and a half innings. In the bottom of the fourth and SUU had a chance to score but they weren't able to capitalize. In the sixth Brigham Young plated their first two runs on a two run home run shot. In the seventh the Cougars hit two more solo home runs to go up by four. The only SUU hits were by Cassie Cresswell, Rodeo Carli, and Lindi Kennedy. Marissa Gonzalez pitched a complete game with five strikeouts and no walks but took the loss to drop to 10-8. Gwyn picked up the win with eight strikeouts and two walks. 'Birds Sweep Centenary, Hand Ladies Their First Conference LossesSHREVEPORT, LA, April 14– On a cold Saturday afternoon the SUU Thunderbirds delivered the Centenary Ladies their first conference losses of the season. The 'Birds started strong and took the first game 4-2 and the second game in the nightcap 5-4. The 'Birds improve to 18-22, 5-4 Mid-Con while the Ladies drop to 19-19, 4-2 Mid-Con. In game one SUU brought in it’s first run in the second after Bobbie Jo Merrill singled to center field. Then in the fifth Centenary was trying to play it smart with one out and intentionally walked Marci Pratt which put two runners on when Karli Jenson hit a long ball over the left field fence to put the 'Birds by four. In the bottom of the fifth Centenary was able to bring in their only two runs on a walk and passed ball. Marissa Gonzalez struck out seven in picking up the win to improve to 10-7 while Kristina Brooks got her second save of the season pitching relief. Greeson dropped to 7-7 after the loss. In game two SUU started big and plated four in the first on Rodeo Carli's first home run of the season and Lindi Kennedy's three-run home run. Kennedy ended up going 3-3 in the second game while Carli went 2-3.The 'Birds plated their fifth run in the second on a single up the middle by Carli to bring in McKell Ashton. Centenary battled back and plated one in the fifth on three hits and three in the sixth but SUU finished strong and left two runners on and then ended the game with two strike outs and a caught foul ball in the seventh to end the game. Brooks got the win to improve to 7-12 while Gonzalez picked up her first save. Thacker took the loss to drop to 5-6. Centenary Edges Thunderbirds in the Seventh InningSHREVEPORT, LA, April 13– Centenary took a 4-3 win over Southern Utah on a rainy Friday afternoon that saw the game-time pushed back and the game extended by a lengthy delay. Centenary scored the winning run in the bottom of the seventh after a 45 minute rain delay in the top of the inning. Centenary scored two runs in the second inning and SUU wasn't able to answer till the fifth inning when McKell Ashton hit a 3-run home run, her second career homer, to put the 'Birds up by one. After a 45-minute rain delay at the top of the seventh Centenary plated the winning run to end the game. Marissa Gonzalez pitched a complete game but took the loss to drop to 9-7, despite striking out seven batters and only walking two. Centenary used three different pitchers but Greeson got the win to improve to 7-6. SUU Unable to Sweep UVSCOREM, Utah., April 11 – Despite Lindi Kennedy's effort hitting 3-4 in the second game with all three hit going yard, SUU lost the second game of the two game series on Wednesday afternoon. SUU dominated the first game keeping the Wolverines scoreless till the seventh inning winning 5-2 and dropping the second in the nightcap 7-10. In game one SUU held off the Wolverines throughout the whole game till the very end. In the first inning SUU walked their first run in and Marci Pratt homered in the third, Bobbie Jo Merrill hit a round tripper in the fifth with one runner on while SUU brought in their last run on a UVSC error. Utah Valley came alive in the seventh and plated their only two runs on four hits. Marissa Gonzalez struck out seven batters with out a single walk to get the win to improve to 9-6 while former SUU pitcher Corie Jenson took the loss to drop to 7-9. Game two was a seesaw. In the first UVSC plated two runners on one hit and one SUU error. SUU tied it up in the second on a Kennedy home run. UVSC went up by three on three hits and one SUU error in the bottom of the second frame. SUU set it even in the third on another Kennedy home run. In the fourth UVSC put three more on the board on two hits. SUU was only able to take one back on two hits. Utah Valley went up by four in the fifth on two hits. SUU brought in their last run on Kennedy's last home run of the game to make it a hat trick. Kristin Brooks took the loss to drop to 6-12 while Jackie Roberts picked up the win to improve to 6-8. In-State Split with DixieSAINT GEORGE, Utah., April 4 – Southern Utah split the day against in-state team, Dixie State in a double-header Wednesday evening. Dixie took the first game 5-4 while SUU wrapped up the second game 11-6 with the lights on. SUU improved to 15-20 while Dixie State improved to 30-9. In game one Dixie scored four runs in the second on two hits, but SUU was able to get out of the inning and left two runners on . SUU took two runs back in the fourth with two solo round-trippers back-to-back by Erin Niederhauser and Lindi Kennedy. In the sixth SUU was able to chip one more run away with a lead off double by Marissa Gonzalez and a double by Niederhauser. Dixie gained one run back in the bottom of the sixth frame on two SUU errors and one hit. SUU tried to fight back but was only able to plate one last run in the seventh on a double by Cassie Cresswell. Bobbie Jo Merrill took the loss but only pitched half way through the second inning before Marissa Gonzalez came in for relief to pitch the rest of the game. Schumers picked up her twelveth win to improve to 12-7. In game two SUU started their offense early plateing one in both the first and second. Dixie plated their first run in the bottom of the second taking advantage of two hits and one SUU error. SUU bounced right back and started the third inning off with a solo home run by Bobbie Jo Merrill. Monique Gaastra doubled to bring in two more runs in the third. Merrill tripled in the sixth to bring in Karli Jenson. In the bottom of the sixth frame SUU gave up two solo home runs. In the top of the seventh SUU brought in their last five runs on four hits and two Dixie errors to go up 11-3. Dixie took three runs back on three hits and one SUU error in the bottom of the seventh. Dixie committed six errors throughout the game while SUU committed two. Gonzalez picked up the win to improve to 8-6 while Kristina Brooks got her first save. Olsen took the loss to drop to 14-1. SUU Splits Double-Header with ValpoVALPARAISO , Ind., March 31– Southern Utah split day two with a 6-7 decision and a 8-0 victory in the night-cap. The first game of the day was delayed for 25 minutes due to rain but the field was still playable. SUU advanced to 14-19, 3-3 Mid-Con while Valpo advanced to 14-8, 4-2 Mid-Con. In game two, Karli Jenson homered in the second to begin SUU's offense followed by Erin Niederhauser who homered in the fourth to put the 'Birds up by two. Valpo plated one on a illegal pitch in the fourth. In the fifth SUU connected four times to bring in four, starting off with a triple by Cassie Cresswell who was followed by three SUU hits by Rodeo Carli, Niederhauser, and Lindi Kennedy. SUU lead 6-1 till Gill hit a grand slam in the fifth and Adamski singled to bring in two for the Crusaders to go up by one. SUU couldn't answer back in the sixth or seventh and took the loss. Kristina Brooks took the loss in relief allowing only two hits with three strike outs to drop to 5-11 while Kelly picked up the win to improve to 6-4 and Zappia picked up her second save. In game three SUU scored in almost every inning. In the first, Jenson doubled to bring in one and in the second, Kristina Brooks hit a sacrifice fly to bring in the second run. The 'Birds didn't score for the next two innings, but in the fifth Lindi Kennedy cleared the bases with a long bomb over the left field fence to go up 6-0. In the sixth Bobbie Jo Merrill singled to bring in the last two runs of the evening to end the game with the mercy rule. Brooks picked up the win to imporve to 6-11 while allowing only two hits in six innings of work. Zappia suffered the loss to drop to 4-4 allowing seven hits and walking three. SUU Dealt Valpo Its First Conference Loss in a 9 Inning MarathonVALPARAISO , Ind. March 30 – Southern Utah came out on top in a nine inning marathon on Friday afternoon against Valparaiso. Marci Pratt's two-RBI double in the ninth pushed the 'Birds on top to pick up the win. They improved to 13-18, 2-2 Mid-Con. The Crusaders were dealt their first conference loss to drop to 13-7, 3-1 Mid-Con. SUU struck first on Cassie Cresswell's solo home run in the top of the fourth followed by Erin Niederhauser, who drove in Marci Pratt. Valpo replied in the bottom of the fifth with a solo home run to make the score 2-1. In the sixth Lindi Kennedy doubled with the bases loaded to bring in three more SUU runs. The Crusaders rallied back and plated four on three hits in the bottom of the frame, which tied up the game. Marci Pratt doubled to bring in the last two runs in the top of the ninth to push the 'Birds up by two. Marissa Gonzalez sealed the victory with three strike outs to end the game. Marissa Gonzalez picked up the win in relief with ten strike outs while walking only one to improve to 7-6. Kristina Brooks pitched the first five innings for Southern Utah with seven strike outs while only walking one as well. Kelly took the loss for Valpo to drop to 5-4. Errors Hurt Thunderbirds As Oakland Takes TwoCEDAR CITY, Utah, March 24– Southern Utah had its struggles at the plate and in the field and the result was an Oakland double-header sweep Saturday. The Golden Grizzlies wound up taking the Mid-Con-opening series 2-1 with Saturday's 3-2 and 4-3 wins. SUU now stands 12-18,1-2 Mid-Con while Oakland improved to 7-14, 2-1 Mid-Con. In game one Oakland scored first, capitalizing on two SUU errors to plate a run in the third. Oakland added another run in the fifth, taking advantage of another SUU error. SUU answered in the bottom of the fifth on an Erin Niederhauser home run and tied it in the sixth on a Marci Pratt RBI single but in the seventh Oakland's Sarah Clark hit a sacrifice fly to bring in a run. Jessica Granger struck out two and got Caroine Fernandez to ground out for the final out to cement the win.. Granger shut down SUU's offense, allowing only four hits while striking out 12 with no walks. Kristina Brooks, who wound up with a three-hitter, took the loss for SUU despite throwing a no-hitter through five innings, striking out seven and walking just one. In game two SUU scored first in the second on a two-out rally when Lindi Kennedy doubled to bring in Karli Jenson. SUU held off the Grizzlies till the fifth when they plated three, capitalizing on three hits and an SUU error. Oakland put its last run on the board in the sixth on a sacrifice fly. In the bottom of the seventh SUU had the bases loaded with one out and Bobbie Jo Merrill hit a double down the left field line to bring in two after she hit a deep foul ball, which would have driven in the game-winner had it stayed fair. Granger, sealed their victory with a strike out and a pop up to the shortstop. Granger picked up the win to improve to 6-5, 2-1 Mid-Con while Marissa Gonzalez took the loss to drop to 6-6, 1-1 Mid-Con.
Merrill's Long Bomb Ends Game One Versus OaklandCEDAR CITY, Utah, March 23– Bobbie Jo Merrill hit a solo home run in the eighth inning to SUU to its first conference win of the season, a 3-2 triumph over Oakland. Southern Utah improved to 12-16,1-0 Mid Continent Conference while Oakland droped to 5-14,0-1 Mid-Con. The game was a pitcher's duel between SUU's Marissa Gonzalez and OU's Jessica Granger until the top of the fourth when Sarah Clark led off with a single and Katie Dreyer was hit by a pitch to put two runners on with no outs. Gonzalez out of the jam, however, getting a ground ball for the first out, a fly ball to right to get the second, and a strike out for the third. SUU got a runner in scoring position in the bottom of the inning after Rodeo Carli walked and was advanced by a sacrifice bunt by Merrill, but SUU wan't able to capitolize. In the bottom of the fifth SUU put together a two-out rally to put the first runs on the board. Karli Jenson and Marci Pratt both singled, then came home on a Cassie Cresswell tripple that bounced off the right field fence. Oakland took one back in the sixth, capitalizing on an SUU error and two hits to make the score 2-1. In the seventh Oakland tied it to send the game into extra innings. SUU held off the Grizzles in the top of the eighth when Gonzalez enduced a pair of ground balls to the shortstop, then stuck out the third out looking. In the bottom of the frame with one out Bobbie Jo Merrill slamed one over the center field fence on a 1-1 count to end the game. Marrissa Gonzalez pitched a great game with eight strike outs and only two walks to improve 6-5 on the season while Jessica Granger (4-5) took the loss for Oakland despite striking out 12. Thunderbirds Explode in the Fourth to Shut Down Dixie StateCEDAR CITY, Utah, March 20 – The Thunderbirds exploded in the bottom of the fourth inning, plating 12 runs in the frame to take a 15-4 mercy-rule win over Dixie State. Southern Utah had a total of 12 hits and 15 runs while committing two errors on Tuesday afternoon. SUU stopped a six-game skid to improve to 11-16 on the season while Dixie State, which saw a 10-game winning streak snapped, dipped to 26-7. Dixie State plated three in the first on one hit and an SUU error. SUU bounced right back and tied it up in the bottom of the inning on a three-run home run by Bobbie Jo Merrill. Dixie answered by scoring its last run on another SUU error in the top of the fourth to go up 4-3. The ‘Birds answered right back, however, as Marissa Gonzalez led off the bottom of the inning with a triple, then Karli Jenson hit a line drive over the center field fence to put the team up by one. By the end of the fourth inning SUU plated 12 with home runs by Jenson, Cassie Cresswell, and Erin Niederhauser and hits by Gonzalez (2), Lindi Kennedy, Caroline Fernandez, Rodeo Carli, and Niederhauser. Gonzalez sealed the deal and got three outs to ended the game after four and a half innings. Gonzales picked up the win after coming in for relief for Kristina Brooks. Gonzales pitched two innings and threw a one hitter with two strikeouts while walking none to improve to 5-5 on the season. Gonzalez Tosses Gem But No. 12 UCLA Edges ThunderbirdsLOS ANGELES, Calif., March 13 – In a classic pitcher’s duel, Southern Utah’s Marissa Gonzalez struck out six and scattered four hits while No. 12 UCLA’s Whitney Baker threw a four-hitter with 11 strikeouts as the Bruins edged SUU, 1-0, Tuesday afternoon. Gonzalez had a two-hitter going through the first five innings but Jodi Legaspi led off the sixth with a single, advanced to second on an out, then scored the game’s only run when Jaisa Creps singled up the middle. Meanwhile, Baker had at least one strikeout in every inning and limited SUU to singles by Marci Pratt and Caroline Fernandez. For her part, Gonzalez allowed just four singles, although she did give up four walks, none of which factored into the scoring. It was the sixth straight loss for the Thunderbirds, who fell to 10-16, while the Bruins improved to 22-6 with the win. Canisius Nips ThunderbirdsLONG BEACH , Calif., March 11– Canisius scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the first inning and that was all Courtney Piar and Juliette Bowers needed as the Griffin pitchers combined to throw a no-hiiter at the Thunderbirds. Katie Miranto led off the game with a triple of of SUU starter Kristina Brooks (5-8), then scored on a squeeze play to give the Griffins a 1-0 edge and Angela Turrey scored later in the inning to account for all the scoring. Marissa Gonzalez came on and threw five innings of two-hit ball for the Thunderbirds the rest of the way but Piar and Bowers' gem preserved the win. Piar threw five innings to pick up the win and improve to 1-1, striking out eight and walking two, while Bowers picked up the save with two innings of work. Colonels, 49ers Edge ThunderbirdsLONG BEACH , Calif., March 10 – Southern Utah lost a pair of 2-1 decisions on the second day of the Long Beach Invitational Saturday, falling to Eastern Kentucky and host Long Beach State. Marissa Gonzalez threw eight innings of five-hit ball against Eastern Kentucky, only to lose the game when an outfield error in the ninth allowed Keri McKinsky to score the winning run for the Colonels. The game was tied 1-1 after Rodeo Carli tripled to lead off the sixth, then scored on a wild pitch. The Thunderbirds had a chance to go up 2-1 in the eighth and ninth after their placed runners reached third base but thge T-Birds couldn't get them home. EKU also had a placed runner reach third in the eighth, but was unable to push the run across. Gonzales, who struck out four and walked just one, dropped to 4-4 with the loss while Kelsey Anderson went the distance in improving to 4-5 for EKU. In the game vs. Long Beach State the 49ers plated a pair of unearned runs in the third inning and freshman pitcher Bridgette Pagano made the lead stand up, limiting the Thunderbirds to three hits and one run the rest of the way. SUU took advantage of an error and a single to pull within 2-1 in the fourth after Bobbi Jo Merrill drove in Cassie Cresswell, but SUU didn't get another runner past second the rest of the way. Pagano improved to 7-5 with the win, while Kristina Brooks, who scattered five hits and didn't allow an earned run, dropped to 5-8 with the complete-game loss. EKU Box Score LBSU Box Score T-Birds Fall To Canisius, No. 16 UCLALONG BEACH , Calif., March 9 – On the opening day of the Long Beach Invitational the Thunderbirds dropped two games, to Canisius College, 6-4, and to No. 16 UCLA, 7-2. The Canisius College Golden Griffins from Buffalo, New York jumped out to a quick start bringing in two runs in the first. The board didn't move again till the sixth when the Griffs hit three more runs in. In the bottom of the sixth SUU put their first run on the board to make the score 5-1. In the seventh the Griffs put their last run on the board to go up 6-1. In the bottom of the seventh SUU rallied back but was only able to bring three in to make the final score 6-4. Bobbie Jo Merrill pitched 5.1 innings and took the loss despite her six strikeouts before Marissa Gonzalez came in for relief pitching 1.1 innings. Bowers picked up the win with seven strikeouts. Number 16 on the ESPN.com top 25 list, UCLA dealt SUU a loss in the nightcap, 7-2. The runs didn't start to come in till the fourth when UCLA hit in three. In the fifth the Bruins plated four more before SUU could answer in the bottom of the inning with their only two runs. The Bruins out hit the 'Birds 9-7 committing only one error compared to SUU's two. Kristina Brooks took the loss to drop to 5-7, pitching 4.2 innings before Gonzalez came in for relief pitching the final two innings. Dodd picked up her second win to improve 2-1. Thunderbirds Sting the Hornets 14-3LAS VEGAS , Nev., March 4 – The Thunderbirds stung the Delaware State Hornets 14-3 on Sunday afternoon in the final game of the UNLV Invitational held in Las Vegas, Nevada. The 'Birds improved to 10-10 on the season while the Hornets dropped to 1-7. The 'Birds were down 1-2 untill they unloaded in the fifth with five hits to bring in four runs. With two outs and two runners on Bobbie Jo Merrill went deep over the right field fence followed by a Erin Niederhauser who slamed one over the left field fence to go up 5-2. But that wasn't enough for the 'Birds, in the seventh they connected six more times to bring in eight more runs with hits from Erin Niederhauser (2) , McKell Ashton, Marci Pratt, Cassie Cresswell, and Bobbie Jo Merrill. Marissa Gonzalez pitched a complete game to improve 4-3 on the season with seven strike outs while walking only two. Delaware used three different pitchers but Wilson took the loss to drop to 0-4. Rebels Get Past T-Birds, 3-0LAS VEGAS , Nev., March 3 – Nevada-Las Vegas stopped Southern Utah's chances of moving to .500 in the UNLV Invitational by rallying for three late runs in Saturday's nightcap and taking a 3-0 win over the Thunderbirds. Marissa Gonzales had a gem going through four innings as she limited the Reblels to just two hits and no runs but she walked Bri Bernadi to open the fifth, prompting SUU Coach Jodi Jackson to call in Kristina Brooks from the bullpen. The strategy didn't work, however, as Kelli Fangolio trippled to drive in Rebel pinch-runner Caitlyn Paus and later came in on a bases-loaded walk before Brooks was able to get out of the inning. UNLV added an insurance run in the sixth, and while the Thunderbirds mounted threats in the fourth and again in the sixth the Rebel defense was able to preserve the win. Gonzales took the loss to drop to 3-3 as SUU fell to 9-10 overall and 1-3 in the tournament while Christy Robinson improved to 5-1 after throwing five innings of three-hit ball to move UNLV to 13-9 on the season. Heather Slettvett allowed a hit and a walk but notched her first save of the season after pitching the last two innings for the Rebels. Thunderbirds Edge Fresno State, 1-0LAS VEGAS , Nev., March 3 – Southern Utah picked up its first win at the UNLV Invitational Saturday with a 1-0 victory over Fresno State. Kristina Brooks struck out five in tossing a three-hitter for the Thunderbirds while Merryanne Barr had a two-hitter going until the seventh when Bobbi Jo Merrill led off with a single and three batters later Caroline Fernandez singled to drive in Merrill with the winning run. Brooks gave up a hit to the first batter in the game, then just two more the rest of the way. Brooks improved to 5-6 in pitching SUU back to .500 at 9-9 while Barr dipped to 3-2 as FSU moved to 11-7. No. 23 Nebraska Takes 5-2 Win Over ThunderbirdsLAS VEGAS , Nev., March 2 – Nebraska's Molly Hill threw a two-hitter and her teammates banged out 10 hits in her support as the No. 23 Cornhuskers took a 5-2 win over Southern Utah at the UNLV Invitational Friday. Nebraska scored one run in the first inning and tacked on three in the third before the Thunderbirds scored a run without a hit in the bottom of the third when Hill walked four straight to push Rodeo Carli across and pull the Thunderbirds within 4-1. The 'Huskers tacked on another in the top of the fourth, however, and Hill held the Thunderbirds to an unearned run in the fifth to move to 3-2 on the season. Bobbi Jo Merrill dropped to 1-1 in taking the loss for the Thunderbirds. DePaul's Big Sixth Lifts Blue Devils Past T-BirdsLAS VEGAS , Nev., March 2 – DePaul rallied for four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to break open a 1-0 ballgame, then held on to down Southern Utah 5-2 in the Thunderbirds' first game at the UNLV Invitational. It was a pitcher's duel through the first five innings as DePaul's Becca Hetanial struck out 13 while SUU's Kristina Brooks whiffed five but The Blue Devils took advantage of a walk, a pair of doubles and an RBI single to push four across and take a 5-0 lead in the sixth. Southern Utah rallied to score a pair of runs in the top of the seventh when Rodeo Carli doubled to drive in Caroline Fernandez and Monique Gaastra but Hetanial got out of the inning to improve to 2-2 on the season. Kristina Brooks (4-6) took the loss for SUU. 'Birds Offense Dominates the FieldST. GEORGE, Utah, Feb. 24– Southern Utah University's softball squad connected 27 times with the bat in two games on the final day of the SUU Invitational while holding its oppenents to only 12 hits. SUU improved to 8-7 on the season after topping Utah State 8-4 and Utah Valley State 9-0. In game one, Utah State had the lead until the fourth inning, when SUU tied it up before taking the lead in the fifth. SUU held the Aggies scoreless for the rest of the game as they put four more runs on the board to claim the victory. Lindi Kennedy and Carloine Fernandez both hit round tripers during the game. Utah State ran one across the plate in the first and two in the second until SUU had four hits to plate two. Utah State's last run scored was in the third off of a wild pitch. in the fourth, SUU tied it up off of two hits and one Aggie error. In the fifth, Lindi Kennedy homered to drive in two and Caroline Fernandez homered in the seventh to plate two. Kristina Brooks threw six innings in relief of Marissa Gonzales to pick up the win and improve to 4-5 on the season. The last game of the SUU invitational started out slowly but SUU took off in the fourth with four runs. The Thunderbirds plated one more in the fifth and four more in the sixth. SUU out-hit UVSC 14-4 in the shutout. In the fourth SUU connected four times to bring in four runs, two times in the fifth to bring in one, and six times in the sixth to bring in four runs. Marci Pratt hit a long bomb in the fourth to make seven on the season so far. Marissa Gonzalez improved to 3-2 on the season while Jackie Roberts for UVSC dropped to1-2. SUU Deals a Loss to Utah State to Split the DayST. GEORGE, Utah, Feb. 23– Southern Utah split the second day of the SUU Invitational, claiming a victroy over Utah State 6-2 before dropping the nightcap 7-8 to Utah Valley State. The 'Birds out-hit the Aggies 8-3 Friday afternoon while the Aggies committed three errors compaired to SUU's two. Marci Pratt and Cassie Cresswell both went deep during the game and Kristina Brooks pitched a complete game to get the win. Bobbie Jo Merrill ran accross the plate in the second to put the first run on the board and Pratt homered in the third before Utah State toook advantage of of two Thunderbird errors to score one in the bottom of the inning. Cresswell then tacked three more on in the fifth when she put the ball over the left field fence. Both teams put one more on the board before they called it a ball game. Although SUU out-hit Utah Valley 9-7 and the Wolverines committed six errors compaired to SUU's four, UVSC came out on top after eight innings of play. SUU left 11 runners on throughout the game while Utah Valley only left eight. Utah Valley struck first tacking one on in the first and two in the third before SUU could answer with one run. Utah Valley took the run right back in the top of the fourth. In the fifth Bobbi Jo Merrill homered, followed by three more Thunderbird hits that inning to plate five. Utah Valley slowly chipped back to tie up the game and force extra innings. Utah Valley scored two in in the eighth while SUU was only able to bring in one. Long Bombs Lift T-Birds Past AggiesST. GEORGE, Utah, Feb. 22 – Southern Utah out-hit Utah State 11-4 with five home runs to lift the Thunderbirds to an 8-0 victory in the opener of the Southern Utah Invitational Thursday. The 'Birds now stand at 5-6, while the Aggies dropped to 3-7. "That's the way we play Thunderbird Softball" Head Coach Jodi Jackson stated after the mercy rule victory. SUU set the tone of the game in the first inning by plating two and kept it up throughtout the whole game. Marci Pratt, Erin Niederhauser, Lindi Kennedy, and Bobbie Jo Merrill (2) all put the ball over the fence at Karl Brooks Field. Pratt led off the game with her's and Niederhauser also went deep in the first inning. In the second Rodeo Carli and Pratt doubled to plate two, and Merrill hit her first round-triper of the day in the third to put SUU up 5-0. The Aggies held the 'Birds in the fourth but in the fifth Kennedy hit a 2 RBI dinger to clear the bases followed by Merrill's second home run to end the game. The Aggies threatened to score in the fourth and the fifth, leaving two runners on each inning but the Thunderbird defense sealed the deal. Merrill scattered four hits holding the Aggies scoreless in moving to 1-0 with the five-inning mercy-rule win. Stacey Ellingsworth took the loss for USU, dropping to 1-4 on the season. Hawaii Sends Thunderbirds Home On Losing NoteLAS VEGAS, Nevada, Feb. 19– Hawaii pounded out 14 hits to cruise to a 16-0 mercy-rule win over Southern Utah in the Thunderbirds' final game at UNLV's Louisville Slugger Invitational. The Wahine jumped on SUU starter Kristina Broooks for two runs in the first, then tacked on four more in the third before Marissa Gonzalez game on in relief. Although Gonzalez got the Thunderbirds out of the third Hawaii tacked on six runs in the fourth and four more in the fifth. Meanwhile, UH starter Kate Robinson limited the Thunderbirds to just one hit, a double by Bobbi Jo Merrill, didn't walk a batter and struck out four in notching the complete-game victory. Thunderbirds Hold Off Portland State At Louisville Slugger ClassicLAS VEGAS, Nevada, Feb. 18– Southern Utah scored 10 runs in the first two innings, then made the lead stand up as the Thunderbirds improved to 4-5 on the season with an 11-8 win over Portland State at UNLV's Louisville Slugger Invitational. SUU took advantage of three walks, three wild pitches, a double by Karli Jenson and a Monique Gaastra single to plate six runs in the first inning. Although PSU answered with a run in the bottom of the frame the Thunderbirds tacked on four in the second on a pair of two-run home runs by Lindi Kennedy and Erin Niederhauser. Portland State clawed its way back into the game, however, scoring single runs in the second and third innings, then puling within 10-7 with a four-run fourth. That would be as close as the Vikings would get, however. Kristina Brooks picked up the win in relief of Bobbie Jo Merrill and Marissa Gonzalez, while Jesse Even took the loss. SUU Splits On Day Two of Louisville Slugger ClassicLAS VEGAS, Nevada, Feb. 17 – Southern Utah split a pair of games on the second day of the Louisville Slugger Invitational, dropping the first game to UC Davis 6-4 before coming back in the nightcap with a victory over Sacramento State 5-4. SUU now stands 3-5 heading into the third day of play against Portland State. In game one UC Davis led 6-0 until SUU scored in the seventh, scoring four runs on three hits and an error. Game two was a pitching battle with neither team able to score until the fifth when Marci Pratt homered over the center field fence. In the sixth Sacramento State’s R. Miles doubled to bring in two. In the seventh the bats started to swing as Sacrament State had three hits to bring in two to put them up by three. SUU wasn’t about to give up, as with one out Trish Clapham, pinch hitting for McKell Ashton, drew a walk and advanced to second on Monique Gaastra’s single. Pratt then tied it up by slamming one over the center field fence. Cassie Cresswell followed with a double, then came on to score the winning run on Lindi Kennedy's double down the left field line. Kristina Brooks pitched a complete game and picked up her first win and now stands 1-4 on the season. Brooks had six strikeouts while only walking one. K. Meeks took the loss allowing 11 hits but struck out ten. T-Birds Come Out Strong on Opening Day of the Louisville Slugger TourneyLAS VEGAS, Nevada, Feb. 16– Southern Utah University came out strong but split a pair of games on the first day of the UNLV-Louisville Slugger Invitational with an 14-2 victory against Wright State in five innings and a 11-10 loss to Illinois in the nightcap. In game one, Marci Pratt began with a home run over the right-center field fence and SUU never stopped scoring. SUU out hit Wright State 19-3 while Wright State committed four errors through out the game while SUU only committed two. The Thunderbirds put six runs on the board in both the first and second, one in the third, and three in the fifth while Wright State was only able to score in the first with a two-RBI home run by Cox. Bobbie Jo Merrill, Erin Niederhauser, and Rodeo Carli all went 3-4 at the plate while Cassie Cresswell when 2-3. Lindi Kennedy also hit a four base dinger in the second to bring in two. Marissa Gonzalez (2-0) picked up the win for SUU pitching 3.0 innings with three strikeouts and only one walk. Cox took her first loss but struck out six with, walked one but allowed 19 hits. Game two was a fight throughout the whole game with the lead changing constantly. Illinois tacked one on the board in the first but SUU answered in the bottom of the second after Niederhauser doubled down the left field line advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt from Caroline Fernandez and scored on a wild pitch to tie up the game. McKell Ashton then followed and hit her first home run of her career over the center-field fence to put SUU up by one. Diller for Illinois homered in the top of the third and went up by one in the top of the fourth. In the bottom of the fourth SUU scored one run when Monique Gaastra reached on an error and scored on a wild pitch. In the top of the fifth Illinois scored two after an SUU error. In the bottom of the fifth Illinois put in a fresh pitcher and Niederhauser hit a grand slam on a two out rally to put SUU up by two. In the sixth Illinois capitalized on an SUU error and hit a three-RBI home run to bring in five. SUU bounced right back and tied it up on another new pitcher for Illinois. Pratt doubled and scored on a hit and run by Kennedy followed by a two RBI dinger by Merrill. Illinois went up by one in the seventh on a sacrifice fly. Illinois put back in their starting pitcher who walked two. The third baseman committed an error to load the bases with one out, but SUU wasn't able to get a hit to bring anyone in to tie up the game. Niederhauser went 3-4 throughtout the game after comming off of a hand injury which happed last weekend. Both teams had nine hits while Illinois went through three pitchers and Kristina Brooks pitched a complete game for SUU with four strikeouts. DeVreese picked up the win for Illinois and Wright was awarded a save. Brooks is now 0-4 on the season. Throughout the duration of the game there were seven errors, Illinois committed four and SUU committed three. Southern Utah Picks Up Its First WinST. GEORGE, Utah, February 10 – Southern Utah University split a pair of games on the final day of the BYU/UVSC Classic with an 8-1 loss to Loyola Marymount in eight innings and a 14-6 victory against in-state rival Utah Valley State in the nightcap. Both teams had chances to score during regulation in game one, but the board remained scoreless untill the eighth inning. Throughout the durration of the game SUU left 13 runners on while LMU left 10 . In the bottom of the second, third, fourth, and sixth innings LMU threatened to score, leaving two runners on base in each inning but SUU's defense wouldn't allow it. SUU loaded the bases in the third and fourth innings and left two on in the fifth and sixth but wasn't able to capitalize. Finally in the eighth inning with the extra inning rule in effect – a runner starts the inning on second base – LMU 's T. Cook doubled to bring in the first run. LMU continued to score seven more runs in the top of the eighth. SUU was only able to score one run in the bottom of the inning when Norian James singled up the middle to bring in Caroline Fernandez. M. Dykema (2-0) took the win from LMU with seven strikeouts while SUU Kristina Brooks (0-3) took the loss with five strikeouts. In game two, SUU ran over from the first game to begin the second and started off quickly, as Lindi Kennedy doubled to drive in Trish Clapham and Marci Pratt in the top of the first. UVSC answered with one run in the bottom of the inning but SUU's bats were all warmed and the Thunderbirds drove in four runs on four hits in the second. In the fourth Pratt, who set the SUU single-season record for home runs in a single season last year with 13, hit the Thunderbirds' first home run of the season, while Kennedy followed two batters later with the second. Also in the second, McKell Ashton singled to bring in Fernandez and Bobbi Jo Merrill. In the top of the fifth Karli Jenson, who pinch hit for James, had her first apparence at bat and doubled to right center. SUU needed three outs to end the game by run rule but UVSC battled back and scored three off of two home runs. In the sixth Fernandez homered to bring in two runs for SUU and held UVSC to keep a difference of eight to end the game in six innings. SUU out-hit UVSC 16-7 while Marissa Gonzalez picked up her first win to go 1-0 with nine strikeouts. Ashly Forsberg took the loss for UVSC. T-Birds 2007 Season Gets off To Rough StartST. GEORGE, Utah, February 9 – Southern Utah's 2007 season got off to a rough start Friday as the Thunderbirds opened with an 11-2 loss to Utah State and a 14-2 setbac against Brigham Young on the opening day of the BYU/UVSC Classic. The Tournament was held in St. George, Utah at The Canyons Complex. In game one, SUU scored one run in the top of the second and third, but Utah State bounced back with three runs in the second inning and three more in the third. Utah State also put runs on the board in the fifth and sixth innings. Lindi Kennedy connected two out of three times at the plate while Marci Pratt drew three walks. In game two, SUU began the scoring with a run in the first ining but was unable to answer nine runs from BYU until the sixth inning. BYU turned around with fivemore runs in the seventh. BYU connected with the ball 16 times while SUU was only able to connect four times.
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PROVO, Utah, May 18 – Southern Utah’s softball team picked up its first-ever NCAA tournament win Friday afternoon with a 9-4 win over Cal Poly but the glory of that victory was short-lived as the Thunderbirds were eliminated from the tournament by BYU, 10-5, in the final game of the day.