Southern Utah University players celebrate the Thunderbirds’ 7-6 victory over Utah Tech in the opening game of the Western Athletic Conference Softball Tournament in Seattle, Washington, May 8, 2024 | Photo courtesy of Western Athletic Conference, St. George News
ST. George — A three-run run in the top of the seventh inning gave Southern Utah University a 7-6 lead as it defeated Utah Tech in the opening game of the Western Athletic Conference Softball Tournament on Wednesday at Logan Field in Seattle, Washington. It was a necessary narrow margin.
The Trail Blazers finished the 2024 season with a 19-31 record and were the No. 5 seed in the postseason tournament, but the No. 8 Thunderbirds (21-27) will face Seattle U tonight at 8 p.m. The pieces advanced to the match.
Utah Tech defeated Southern Utah University 14-8 in the game, but could not overcome the Thunderbirds’ three-run seventh inning, according to a news release. The Trail Blazers were led by Carly Eldridge and Laura Lockard with two hits and three hits, and Marisa Rubio and Oakley Trapp with two hits.
Meanwhile, SUU, paced by first-team All-WAC sophomore Emily Gonzalez, sent Utah Tech pitcher Atlin Johnston’s first pitch over the fence, giving the Thunderbirds an early lead in a back-and-forth game. .
After the Trail Blazers put two runners on base in the second inning, Utah Tech tied the game at one run in the third inning with Lockard’s one-out RBI single through the left side, forcing Eldridge home from third base. .
SUU put together 3 runs in the 4th inning, got a walk with the bases loaded and got a 2-run hit, taking the lead 4-1. The Blazers wasted no time fighting back with back-to-back RBIs from Eldridge and LB Kahawai-Kekona, cutting SUU’s lead to 4-3 and one run after four innings.
A three-run run in the sixth gave the Trail Blazers a two-run lead. Sadie Gardner started the game with a double to left field with one out and advanced to third base on Eldridge’s single.
SUU’s throwing error at second base allowed Gardner to score, tying the score at 4, and after Lockard’s single loaded the bases, Rubio’s 2-run RBI to left field allowed Kahawai Kekona and Lockard to home for 6 points. Brought. -4 leads.
The Trail Blazers’ lead didn’t last long, as the Thunderbirds countered with a quick three-run breakout in the top of the seventh inning. Following a walk, the bases were loaded with a single and a hit-by-pitch, and then he scored two runs with an RBI hit and a sacrifice fly, tying the score at six points each.
Leone’s walk loaded the bases, giving Southern Utah a 7-6 lead, and with two outs, Denhart hit a flyout to center field to prevent the bases from being loaded, giving the Trail Blazers a chance to get in the bottom of the frame.
The Blazers had three doubles, one each from Eldridge, Trapp and Gardner, and got base knocks from eight different Trail Blazers in total. Inside the circle, Johnston made his 23rd start of the season, pitching six innings with five strikeouts and allowing eight hits and seven earned runs.
SUU pitcher Emily Delgado did her best to improve to 7-9 overall. He allowed 14 hits in seven innings, had seven strikeouts, and did not walk a batter. After his leadoff homer, Gonzalez gave up a walk in the third inning, scored another run, and got an RBI with the bases loaded. Designated hitter Ariyana Miranda went 3-for-4 with one hit and two RBIs.
