Michigan posted its third win of the Sun Devil Classic despite only managing three runs on four hits, its second lowest hit total of the season. This game also marked the sixth time this season the Wolverines held their opponents to one run or fewer. 

Ellis collected her fifth win of the season, only allowing two hits and striking out three in a complete game effort. At the plate, Putz drove in the decisive two runs when she walloped an opposite-field home run in the sixth inning to give Michigan a 3-0 lead.

The win comes after the Wolverines defeated both No. 22 Arizona State and New Mexico State on Friday, Feb. 20.

Thunderbirds senior pitcher Delaney Baker made a valiant effort, pitching five innings and only giving up three hits. 

However, Southern Utah struggled offensively all game, with junior first baseman Arianna Ramirez and sophomore shortstop Isabella Knight recording the only hits of the ballgame for the Thunderbirds.

The game was remarkably quick, lasting only one hour and 29 minutes. Neither Southern Utah nor Michigan could cross home plate in the first four frames, with the Wolverines finally doing so in the fifth inning off of a wild pitch by Baker.

Putz’ sixth inning bomb added some insurance to Michigan’s lead, and while the Thunderbirds put up one run in the seventh, they would eventually fall short for their second consecutive loss.