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BASEBALL: A big seven-run sixth inning by Western Illinois led to a 12-2 defeat for the Thunderbirds on Sunday afternoon, leading to a 2-2 split for the four-game set with the Leathernecks. The loss drops the T-Birds to 18-32 overall and 11-12 in Summit League play.
WIU scored the opening run of the game in the bottom of the first inning, but the Thunderbirds answered in the top of the second with an RBI double by Levi Swenson to tie the game at 1-1.
However, two runs by Western in both the bottom of the second and third inning left the Thunderbirds trailing 5-1 before finally scoring again in the top of the fourth. Brock Westphal led off the frame with a double and crossed the plate during the next at bat as Mitchell Kauweloa's hit was too hot to handle for Western Illinois' third baseman, resulting in a fielding error.
The run was the final for the Thunderbirds on the day as the Leathernecks erupted for seven runs in the bottom of the sixth to capture a ten-run rule, 12-2 victory.
Southern Utah will wrap up the regular season next weekend when the Thunderbirds play in a pivotal Summit League series with Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan.