CEDAR CITY, Utah - The Thunderbirds will look to continue their fast start at the Torero Classic in San Diego this weekend. Southern Utah will open the tournament against Colorado State on Friday morning before taking on Long Island University later that day. Saturday will feature a second matchup with LIU before the Thunderbirds face off with tournament host San Diego on Saturday evening. The T-Birds will wrap up the weekend with a game against Eastern Illinois on Sunday morning.
Game Information
Southern Utah at the Fullerton Easton Classic
Friday, February 16, 2024 - Sunday, February 18, 2024
SUU vs. CSU: 10:00 a.m. MT Friday Live Stats
SUU vs. LIU: 12:30 p.m. MT Friday Live Stats
SUU vs. LIU: 12:30 p.m. MT Saturday Live Stats
SUU vs. USD: 5:30 p.m. MT Saturday Watch Live | Live Stats
SUU vs. EIU 10:00 a.m. MT Sunday Live Stats
Coach Don Don Williams Said
"We are looking to take the momentum from last weekend and build on our performance. This weekend will be a great opportunity to see some quality competition."
Southern Utah
Over the opening weekend, the Thunderbirds swept both UIC and Pacific, with the only loss coming against an experienced Colorado State team. Junior infielder Karmyna Becerra had a great weekend at the plate, hitting .444 and scoring eight total hits. Junior infielder Ariyana Miranda belted two home runs on the weekend and accounted for 6 RBIs en route to a .313 batting average. Senior catcher Bella Garcia had four RBIs and hit .444 on the weekend.
The Thunderbirds' pitching staff had a great tournament, posting a 2.47 ERA through five games. Freshman pitcher Emily Delgado pitched 13.2 shutout innings this weekend and led the team with an impressive 12 strikeouts. Despite a tough outing against Colorado State, junior pitcher Keimon Winston finished the weekend with an impressive 2-1 record in the circle.
Delgado was named the WAC Pitcher of the Week for her incredible start to the 2024 season.
Colorado State Rams (3-2)
The Colorado State Softball team's offense has shown strong performances across the board, boasting a collective batting average of .294 and an OPS of .764 over five games. Maya Matsubara has been a standout player with an impressive .500 batting average and five RBIs, supported by Danielle Serna hitting .417 with a 1.088 OPS. Molly Gates follows closely behind with a .400 batting average and a .967 OPS. Together, they've contributed to the team's total of 27 runs, showcasing their ability to produce runs and pressure opposing defenses consistently.
The Rams' pitching staff has been impressive thus far, with a collective ERA of 1.69 and a WHIP of 1.24 across five games. Leading the pack is Danielle Serna, who boasts an impressive 0.54 ERA and 15 strikeouts over three starts, including one complete game shutout, demonstrating her effectiveness in the circle. Sydney Hornbuckle has also contributed, maintaining a respectable 2.80 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP. The pitching rotation has shown depth and versatility, with Reagan Wick and Giselle Bentley providing reliable relief options. Although Delaney Saugstad's outing resulted in a higher ERA, the team's overall pitching performance has been characterized by consistency and effectiveness, holding opponents to a .269 batting average and securing victories for the team.
LIU (2-3)
Leading the offensive charge for Long Island University's softball team are Lily Hinkle, Priscilla Gillies, and Kaylee Clarkson. Hinkle boasts an impressive .429 batting average and a .929 OPS, while Gillies follows closely behind with a .400 average and a stellar 1.133 OPS. Clarkson adds to the firepower with her .364 average and team-leading five RBIs. Their collective efforts, along with contributions from Gabby Padilla, Mari Narvaiz, and Dallas Andrews, have propelled the team forward, showcasing a formidable lineup that promises continued success throughout the season.
The pitching staff of Long Island University, led by Alyssa O'Donnell, Lindsey Cowans, and Kira Buckner, has shown promise early in the season. O'Donnell leads the rotation with a solid 2.45 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP, demonstrating her ability to keep opposing hitters at bay. Cowans follows suit with a 4.40 ERA and ten strikeouts, showcasing an ability to limit opposing offenses. Buckner, while facing a tough start, has the potential to bounce back, contributing to the team's depth.
San Diego (0-6)
Amanda Limon leads the offensive charge for the University of San Diego's softball team, contributing with a .211 batting average and a .474 OPS over six games. Tele Jennings follows with a .200 batting average and a .561 OPS. Each of these athletes will contribute to the success of the Toreros this season.
Emma Giaime leads the pitching rotation for the Toreros with a 5.00 ERA and a WHIP of 2.29. Kelsey Tadlock follows closely, maintaining a 6.30 ERA and a 1.73 WHIP over two appearances. Courtney Rose showcases resilience with a 14.54 ERA and a 3.23 WHIP across four appearances. Kaitlyn Bartlow stands out with a remarkable 0.00 ERA despite a 3.75 WHIP, albeit in limited action. Although facing some very good competition in the opening weekend, these pitchers exhibit determination and skill as they strive to anchor the Toreros' defense in the circle.
Eastern Illinois (5-0)
The offensive leaders for the Eastern Illinois University softball team have been outstanding to begin the 2024 season. Avary Makarewicz leads the pack with a remarkable .538 batting average and a staggering 1.307 OPS, setting a formidable standard for her teammates. Following closely behind is Rachel Kaufman, boasting a .500 batting average and five RBIs across five games. Marama Makea exhibits a solid .455 batting average, contributing significantly to the team's offensive firepower. Briana Gonzalez and Jadin Justman also stand out with batting averages of .417 and .375, respectively, adding depth to the team's offensive lineup. With such standout performances, the Panthers are out to an impressive 5-0 start to the season.
The Panthers' pitching leaders have demonstrated exceptional skill and reliability in the circle this season. Olivia Price leads the pack with an outstanding 0.50 ERA and a solid 1.29 WHIP, boasting a perfect 2-0 win-loss record across three appearances, including two starts. Notably, Price has showcased her dominance with one complete game shutout. Following closely behind is McKenzie Oslanzi, who has maintained an impressive 1.14 ERA and a remarkable 0.65 WHIP, contributing significantly with a flawless 2-0 record and one save. Oslanzi leads the team in strikeouts with 16 on the season. Rachel Kaufman has also made a notable impact, registering an excellent 1.17 ERA and a 0.67 WHIP in her appearances to this point in the season.
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