ST. GEORGE, Utah - April 16 - Southern Utah scored ten runs in the sixth inning to build on an already 12-2 lead in a 22-8 victory over the Western Illinois Leathernecks in game one of the four-game set between the two teams.  The victory gives the Thunderbirds an overall record of 17-14 and 7-1 mark in conference play.  WIU drops to 7-19 with the loss and 3-5 in Summit League play.

Western Illinois opened the game with a run in the top of the first inning, but it was matched by an RBI ground ball to third base off the bat of Nick Freitas in the home half of the frame.  Run matching continued in the third inning as Western scored its second of the game, but four runs by the Thunderbirds in the bottom of the inning built an early 5-2 lead for the home team.

Bucky Aona began the T-Bird scoring in the third inning by cracking a mile-high home run over the left field fence, scoring two.  Colby Ford's two-run, two-out double capped the scoring in the inning.

Southern Utah scored in bunches again in the fourth inning as five runs crossed the plate on four hits.  Keli'i Zablan pushed a single through the right side with the bases loaded to scoring two.  Following a pitching change, Matt Sanford greeted the new WIU pitcher with a two-run triple to left center as Garrett Messerly followed with an RBI ground ball to first base to punctuate the runs in the inning.

Two more runs crossed the plate for the Thunderbirds in the fifth inning on Aona's second home run of the game.  Aona crushed the two-run jack over the blue monster in dead center at Flyer Field, scoring Bo Cuthbertson who had drawn an earlier walk.

Southern Utah exploded offensively in the bottom of the sixth inning, scoring ten runs on nine hits while taking advantage of two Western Illinois errors.  The Thunderbirds went through the line-up a time and a half before heading back to the dugout during the inning, as the first four batters hit singles, followed by a walk, then followed by two more singles and a double.  The line-up each recorded at least one run in the inning with Zablan crossing the plate on two occasions.

Western Illinois closed out the final three innings with a run in the top of the seventh and ninth and four runs in the top of the eighth.  SUU relief pitcher Kelsey Outram surrendered a grand slam in the eighth for the runs in that inning.

Steve Johnson earned his team-best sixth win of the season after throwing seven complete innings and allowing three runs (two earned) on seven hits, one walk and three strikeouts.  WIU's John Sneegas endured the loss after 3.1 innings while allowing nine runs (all earned) on eight hits, five walks and one strikeout.

The two teams will take to the field again tomorrow for games two and three at Thunderbird Park.  The doubleheader is scheduled to begin at Noon with weather and field conditions looking good in Cedar City.