SANTA BARBARA, California – The Southern Utah Softball team fell in a walk-off Saturday afternoon 5-4. The Thunderbirds held a lead for a good portion of the game but the Gauchos came charging back in the late innings.
The T-Birds continue to show improvement with each game on the field. Playing tough competition early in the season but improving with each contest. Freshman outfielder Alayah Toscano had an impressive series picking up 5 hits in 11 at-bats and really heating up in the final game and scoring two runs. Freshman infielder Emily Gonzalez continued what is growing into an impressive hit streak, reaching eight straight games.
The Thunderbirds hit over .300 as a team, an improvement over last week's tournament. Southern Utah also saw an increase in extra-base hits this weekend collecting eight doubles and a home run. The T-Birds also used some speed this weekend stealing three bases.
SUU vs UC SANTA BARBARA
In the weekend's final game, UC Santa Barbara jumped out to an early lead, picking up a run in the bottom of the second inning. Not to be outdone the T-Birds answered back the next half inning.
Redshirt senior infielder Josey White roped a single to move Toscano to third which set up a well-timed double steal call by coach Don Don Williams. The offensive play worked and Toscano came in to score the first run of the game for the Thunderbirds. One passed ball later and White was sitting on third when sophomore utility Sophia Masut drove her in with a single.
In the top of the fifth inning, the Thunderbirds caught another break when Toscano singled through the right side. Gonzalez stepped to the plate with a runner on and delivered a two-run blast.
The Thunderbirds pitching held UC Santa Barbara to just one run through the first five innings. In the bottom of the sixth, the Gauchos were able to string together four straight hits to score three runs and tie the game.
The game was still tied going into the bottom of the seventh. The Gauchos scored the walk-off when McNally doubled to score Fuentes and end the game.
Toscano led the Thunderbirds at the plate going 3-4 and scoring twice. White also had an impressive game winding up 2-4 in the designated player slot. The Thunderbirds racked up a team-high 10 hits in the game.
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NEXT UP
The Thunderbirds will once again be on the road next weekend at the Fresno State Invitational. They will open the tournament with former Big Sky foe Idaho State. The T-Birds will also confront the host team Fresno State before finishing the tournament with UC Davis.
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Stay up to date on the Thunderbird Softball team by following @SUUSoftball on Twitter and Instagram and liking the Southern Utah softball page on Facebook.
