SFA Drops First Two to Southern Utah

Friday, March 15

Cedar City, UT

4:00 p.m.

Stephen F. Austin

7-20, 0-0

Southern Utah University

10-10, 0-0

Stephen F. Austin

Southern Utah

SFA Drops First Two to Southern Utah

3/15/2024 7:30:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Peter Trainor, Student Assistant for Strategic Communications

ST. GEORGE, Utah. - The Stephen F. Austin Softball team (7-22, 0-2) fell in heartbreaking fashion in the first two games of a three-game series against the Southern Utah University Thunderbirds (12-10, 2-0) in a Friday afternoon doubleheader.

Game 1: Southern Utah 3, SFA 2

The first game of the Friday doubleheader saw Alexis Telford draw the start in the circle for SFA as she was opposed by Delaney Baker of Southern Utah. The Thunderbirds would get on the board early in just their second home game of the season off a two-run homerun from Ariyana Miranda and held a 2-0 lead after one full inning. The next three innings offered a back-and-forth pitchers duel as neither team would be able to score with the Thunderbirds still leading 2-0 heading into the fifth inning. However, the 'Jacks finally broke the ice in the top of the fifth as Alex Dubose would work a one-out walk, before advancing to second on a fielders choice, and later came around to score as pinch hitter Amiah Galcatcher would single in Dubose from second and the 'Jacks trimmed the Thunderbird lead down to 2-1 heading to the bottom of the fifth.

Following another terrific inning from Alexis Telford on the mound in the bottom of the fifth, the SFA offense continued to find their stride late as Lexi Benson continues to go triple crazy this season. Benson smacked her fifth triple this season to lead off the top of the sixth, and she would later score on an Emily Land RBI double down the left field line to tie the game at two runs apiece in the top of the sixth. The Thunderbirds would regain the lead in the bottom of the sixth to reclaim a 3-2 lead heading to the seventh inning. The Lumberjacks would fight until the very end as they have all season long as they put a pair of runners on in the top half of the seventh, but were unable to push across the tying run and ultimately fell 3-2 in game one of the doubleheader.

Despite the loss, SFA's offense continues to find consistent success at the plate as five different Lumberjacks recorded a hit in game one of the doubleheader. Lexi Benson (2-3, 3B, R) led the way offensively for SFA, while Emily Land (1-1, 2B, RBI) and Kelby Robbins (1-3, 2B, BB) joined Benson in the extra bases column today. Meanwhile, Amiah Galcatcher (1-1, RBI) and Alex Dubose (1-2, BB, R) rounded out the hitting for SFA, while Chloe Reneau (0-1, 2 BB) showed incredible patience by working a pair of walks in three at-bats today.

Alexis Telford pitched six innings, allowing just three runs on three hits, while striking out a pair of Thunderbirds and did not issue a walk today in a solid pitching performance on the mound for SFA. Alex Dubose continues her strong defensive season as she led the team in putouts with six today, while the dynamic outfield trio of Madison Nguyen, Mallory Webb, and Mikaelah Burkland combined for seven putouts. Kelby Robbins and Ellie Vance formed a dynamic duo of their own defensively as they combined for five assists in game one.

Game 2: Southern Utah 1, SFA 0

The second game of the doubleheader saw Brooke Gainous draw the starting nod in the circle for SFA, and Emily Delgado on the bump for Southern Utah. Both pitchers brought their best stuff to the ballpark tonight as game two of the doubleheader ended up resulting in an epic pitchers duel that saw neither team score a run over the first six innings of the contest. However, the Thunderbirds would break the hearts of the Lumberjacks for a second straight game as they would hit a walk-off solo homerun in the bottom of the seventh inning to claim a 1-0 win over SFA in the nightcap of the doubleheader.

Mallory Webb (1-1, BB, 2 SB) continues to be an on-base machine for SFA lately as Webb worked a walk in her first at-bat of the evening and showcased her blazing speed as she subsequently stole both second and third base after walking, before slapping a single down the left field line in her second at-bat of the game. Ellie Vance (1-3) joined Webb in the hit column tonight, while Kelby Robbins (0-1, BB) joined Webb in the walk department. Madison Nguyen (0-3, SB) and Lexi Benson (0-2, SB) got into the base stealing action tonight with Webb as both added a stolen base to their season totals.

Brooke Gainous took a tough-luck loss as she pitched a gem for SFA, allowing just the one run over 6.1 innings pitched, striking out one hitter, while continuing to show excellent control as she did not issue a single walk in her outing today. Mallory Webb remained busy on both sides of the field tonight as she led the team with five putouts defensively from her usual spot in centerfield, while Alex Dubose added another four putouts to her superb defensive season. Kelby Robbins and Chloe Reneau formed an efficient and effective infield defensive duo for SFA as they combined for three putouts and four assists tonight.

The Lumberjacks will be back in action tomorrow, March 16th to conclude the three-game weekend series with the Thunderbirds. First pitch for tomorrow's game is set for 3:00 p.m. CST, there will be no live stream for tomorrow's match, however, you can keep up with all the action through the Lumberjacks Softball team social media accounts as well as live stats available on the SFA Athletics website.