FULLERTON, California – The Southern Utah Softball team opened day two of the Fullerton Easton Classic with a 6-2 victory over the University of the Pacific before falling 8-1 to Colorado State in game two. The Thunderbirds played well in both matchups and are showing that they can battle every time they step on the field.
Junior Ariyana Miranda led the T-Birds at the plate on the day with three hits, including two home runs and four RBIs. Junior Karmyna Becerra also picked up three hits on the day and scored twice. Sophomore pitcher Riley Nielson got the win in game one with a solid outing.
Coach Don Don Williams Said
"We are seeing a lot of positives as we continue to get more innings under our belt. I like the fight that we are seeing within the team.
Recap Game 1
Southern Utah opened the scoring right off the bat, scoring two runs in the top of the first inning on back-to-back home runs by Sophomore Emily Gonzalez and Ariyana Miranda. The Thunderbirds added to the lead in the third inning on an RBI single to right center by freshman Arianna Ramirez.
The Tigers would score in the bottom half of the inning, but Southern Utah didn't slow down, scoring three runs in the top of the fourth. The runs were courtesy of an RBI single by senior Miranda Lopez and a two-RBI single by Ariyana Miranda, breaking the game open. Despite giving up a run in the bottom half of the fourth, the T-Birds would hold on for the 6-2 victory.
Several Thunderbirds had impressive performances in the game, including a solid pitching outing by sophomore Riley Nielson. Nielson pitched six innings, surrendering just two runs on seven hits and striking out one.
Recap Game 2
The Colorado State Rams proved too much for the T-Birds, scoring consistently on their way to the 8-1 decision. The Rams scored three runs in the first and two a piece in both the second and third innings.
In the top of the fourth inning Ariyana Miranda stepped to the plate and crushed a home run to put Southern Utah on the board. It would be the only run of the game for the Thunderbirds, and Colorado State would add one run in the sixth to finish the game 8-1.
Six Thunderbirds reached base with hits in the game, the biggest coming from Ariyana Miranda. Junior Keimon Winston got the loss in the game, pitching 2.1 innings, giving up seven runs on ten hits while striking out one. Freshman Emily Delgado pitched well in relief, giving up one run on one hit and striking out three over 3.2 innings.
Next Up
The Thunderbirds continue at the Fullerton Easton Classic tomorrow, with a doubleheader beginning at 10:00 a.m. MT against the UIC, followed by the second game at 12:30 p.m. MT against the University of the Pacific.
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