Game one: Each team had five hits, but SUU's came in timely clusters, giving the Thunderbirds a 4-1 win.

Southern Utah jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Jenavieve Purcell reached on an error and scored on Brittany Henderson's single.

Aly Daniels and Darleen Fernandez both walked. Daniels scored on an errant throw after a single by Natalie McBurney.

SUU plated two more in the second. Stephanie DeJesus led off with a walk, but was put out on a fielders choice that left Norian James safe at first. Jenavieve Purcell followed with a single. Both James and Purcell advanced on a double steal. Both went on to score on a single by Aly Daniels making it 4-0.

The Kangaroos plated one run in the sixth inning making it 4-1, SUU, but Kristina Brooks sat down UMKC in the seventh to secure her 20th win of the season. Brooks allowed one run on five hits while striking out 15.

Game two: The Thunderbirds took a pitcher's duel 1-0.

UMKC loaded the based in the first inning. The first two batters, Kaelene Curr and Kelly Fishe were hit by pitches. Betsy Hanley struck out, and Chelsea Hart popped out to second. Megan Viceno walked loading the bases, but Kristina Brooks struck out Amanda Evans to end the inning.

The Thunderbirds scored the only run of the ball game in the fifth when with the based loaded Aly Daniels came through with the RBI single to score Norian James.

Kristina Brooks (21-22) held the Kangaroos to two hits, striking out six on the way to her 21st win. Nicholle Ellis allowed four hits and took the loss.

The wins bring Kristina Brooks within two victories of the SUU single season record of 23 (Lacee Leprey, 2004). Last week Brooks over-took Leprey (52 from 2001-2004) to become the SUU career leader in wins.

Saturday's victories give Brooks 55 career wins and counting.

Brooks' 15 strikeouts in game one, and her six in game two adds to her SUU single season and career strike out records also established last weekend at Centenary. Brooks has totaled 273 strikeouts so far in 2009 (Mandi Flint had 244 in 2001). Her career total now sits at 577 (Lacee Leprey totaled 552 from 2001-2004).

TRACK AND FIELD: Southern Utah track and field did not disappoint a home crowd in the first of two home meets for the Thunderbirds this season as SUU captured 13 individual titles at the SUU Invitational on Saturday afternoon. The performances were also highlighted by a total of 13 facility records and three new school records.