PALM BEACH, Fla. - March 20 - Southern Utah finished its spring break trip how it started by posting a 9-5 victory over the Chicago State Cougars on Saturday afternoon. The win moves the T-Birds to 4-12 on the year while CSU drops to 1-7.
SUU began the game behind, surrendering the first run of the contest in the bottom of the second inning, but answered immediately with an RBI single by Marcus Romero in the top of the third. However, the Cougars worked their way back into the lead, scoring a run in the bottom of the fourth and fifth inning.
Southern Utah began the sixth inning trailing 3-1, but a three-run home run off the bat of Bucky Aona swung the lead and the momentum over to the Thunderbirds' dugout. Joe Goldenberg punctuated the T-Bird runs in the frame with the second home run of the inning, putting a ball over the left field fence and driving in two runs. The bombs gave Southern Utah a 6-3 lead and the team would never look back, despite some close calls down the stretch.
Two runs by Chicago State in the bottom of the eighth inning put the score at 6-5, but Southern Utah answered with three runs in the top of the ninth inning, making the most of four hits, including a pair of doubles from Bo Cuthbertson and Goldenberg. Matt Sanford, D.J. Andrade and Cuthbertson ultimately recorded the three RBI in the frame.
SUU reliever Levi Swenson began the ninth inning in a jam, walking the first three batters before taking over duties at third base and being replaced on the mound by Cody Eliason. The freshman from Allen, Texas struck out the first batter that he faced and then induced a 5-2-3 double play to finish the inning.
Cuthbertson, Sanford, Goldenberg and Andrade each recorded a multiple hit game for Southern Utah as each recorded at least one RBI as well. SUU starter Justin Neubauer fanned five CSU batters in 6.2 innings, allowing three runs (one earned) on seven hits and two walks in his first victory of the season.
Southern Utah will remain on the road next week as the Thunderbirds spend time in the state of Oregon, facing Oregon, Oregon State and Portland. The Thunderbirds will open the five-game set at Oregon on Tuesday night at 5:00 p.m. (PT).
