LAS VEGAS, Nevada – The Southern Utah Softball fell in heartbreaking fashion Sunday afternoon. Despite scoring three key runs in the bottom half of the seventh inning, the T-Birds lost 13-8 to Santa Clara to finish the Rebel Classic in Las Vegas.
Coach Don Don Williams Said
"We got a lot of feedback today. The long ball kept us in the game and we had a great comeback in the bottom of the 7th. We need to learn to finish games when we have the opportunity."
Game Recap
Southern Utah junior Karmyna Becerra wasted no time in starting the scoring, launching a homer to left-center in the first inning. Junior Ariyana Miranda followed suit with a solo shot of her own, showcasing Southern Utah's power at the plate.
Santa Clara responded strongly in the third inning, scoring four runs. The Thunderbirds fought back, tying the game at 4-4 in the third inning with runs scored by Shelby Basso and Belle Freund. SUU took the lead in the fourth inning when Emily Gonzalez drove in Laurie Cooke to make it 5-4.
Santa Clara regained the lead in the sixth inning with Gray delivering a two-RBI single, putting them ahead 6-5. They extended their lead in the seventh inning with an RBI single from Curran. Not to be outdone, Gonzalez crushed a two-run home run in the bottom half of the seventh to put the T-Birds within one. Ariyana Miranda blasted her second solo home run of the game to even it up at eight, and the game went to extra innings.
The Broncos would pick up five runs in the eighth to escape with a win.
Gonzalez showcased her prowess with the bat, going two for five with a crucial home run and three RBIs. Miranda also picked up two hits and two RBIs in the game. Their offensive contributions played a significant role in Southern Utah's efforts to keep pace with Santa Clara.
Next Up
The Thunderbirds will head to California for the Amy S. Harrison Classic at UC Riverside next weekend. Southern Utah will square off with the University of Nevada and the host UC Riverside throughout the weekend. Play will start Friday, March 1, at 10:00 a.m. MT.
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