Box Score Box Score
CEDAR CITY, Utah - March 29 - Southern Utah entered the sixth inning up 4-2 over Cal State Dominguez Hills, but ended the game surrendering four runs to the Toros in the 6-4 defeat during game four of the series on Saturday afternoon. The loss prevented the series sweep and drops the Thunderbirds a game under .500 with a 10-11 mark and moves CSUDH to 13-24.
Southern Utah began the game in a hole as the Toros opened the first frame with a solo home run by Cody Puckett to take a 1-0 advantage. That lead was short lived, however, as the Thunderbirds scored two runs in the bottom of the second to tilt the balance to the home side 2-1.
Joe Wright advanced home for the first run of the inning, moving all the way around from first base on a Mac Nelson double through the right side of the infield. The Toro defense tried to throw Wright out at third, but the ball was thrown wildly, allowing Wright to score the run. M. Nelson advanced to third on the play and then crossed the plate on the very next batter as Derek Pena tallied an RBI single.
CSUDH scored another run on an RBI single to right center by Martin Conde in the top of the fifth, but the run was answered two fold in the home half of the inning, beginning with back-to-back one-out doubles by Matt Sanford and Nick Freitas. Freitas moved to third on a throwing error by the pitcher and then across the plate on a sacrifice fly by Cameron Nelson.
The four runs were the final lights on the board for the Thunderbirds as Dominguez Hills scored four unanswered runs over the final four innings, including three in the sixth and one in the top of the ninth.
The offensive surge prevented Southern Utah from completing the series sweep as SUU starter Jacob Noyes was credited with the loss in 5.2 innings of work, allowing five runs on eight hits, one walk and recording three strike outs. CSUDH reliever Jeff Phillips earned the win in 4.2 innings, allowing only two hits with no runs and collecting four strike outs.
The Toros return home on Friday, April 4, to host the Gators of San Francisco State at 2:00 pm on Toro Field.