CEDAR CITY, Utah - The Thunderbirds will continue their season this weekend at the Rebel Classic in Las Vegas, Nevada. On Friday, Southern Utah will open the tournament with back-to-back games against Santa Clara and Tulsa. Saturday will feature a second matchup with Tulsa in the morning before the Thunderbirds face off with tournament host UNLV on Saturday afternoon. The T-Birds will wrap up the weekend with a rematch against Santa Clara on Sunday morning.
Game Information
Southern Utah at the Rebel Classic
Friday, February 23, 2024 - Sunday, February 25, 2024
SUU vs. Santa Clara: 11:00 a.m. MT Friday Watch Live | Live Stats
SUU vs. Tulsa: 1:30 p.m. MT Friday Watch Live | Live Stats
SUU vs. Tulsa: 11:00 a.m. MT Saturday Watch Live | Live Stats
SUU vs. UNLV: 4:00 p.m. MT Saturday Watch Live | Live Stats
SUU vs. Santa Clara 11:30 a.m. MT Sunday Watch Live | Live Stats
Coach Don Don Williams Said
"We went back to work this week to make some adjustments in our game. This weekend will be an opportunity to execute against some quality opponents. "
Southern Utah
Over the second weekend of the season, the Thunderbirds picked up victories over Colorado State and Eastern Illinois, falling to LIU and the University of San Diego. The Thunderbirds were led at the plate by junior Ariyana Miranda, who swung the bat well all weekend. Miranda hit .411 on the weekend, picking up three RBIs and smashing one home run. Miranda was clutch in the Thunderbirds' win over Eastern Illinois University, leading the team with nine RBIs on the year. Junior Karmyna Becerra has been a welcome addition to the team's roster, adding an impressive .382 batting average for the season. She leads the team in doubles this year with four.
In the circle, the Thunderbirds were led by junior Keimon Winston. Winston pitched 13.1 innings for the Thunderbirds in the Torero Classic. She struck out 12 batters during the tournament, allowing just 1.6 earned runs per seven innings pitched. Southern Utah Freshman Emily Delgado has also been a solid starter. She has pitched 22 innings this season, including a complete game shutout against UIC in the opening tournament. Delgado has a 2.47 ERA and leads the team with 19 strikeouts this season.
Santa Clara Broncos (4-6)
The offensive leaders for Santa Clara University's softball team have an array of talent. Cairah Curran leads the pack with an impressive .400 batting average and .905 OPS, contributing 12 hits and 3 RBIs in 9 games. Morgan Salmon follows closely with a .303 batting average and a robust .984 OPS, highlighted by three home runs and 10 RBIs in 10 games. With a cumulative team batting average of .235, these leaders exemplify the offensive ability that drives Santa Clara's softball team forward.
The Broncos' pitching staff showcases a mix of experience and potential. Led by Hannah Edwards with a 3-1 record, the staff collectively maintains a 4.16 ERA and a 1.55 WHIP. While Hazyl Gray and Avery Seva have faced challenges, each holding a 0-3 and 0-2 record, respectively, they exhibit resilience, with Gray displaying 12 strikeouts in 13.1 innings pitched and Seva keeping hitters to a .275 batting average. Despite struggles in limiting hits, the staff shows promise with opportunities for growth and improvement as the season progresses.
Tulsa Golden Hurricane (5-4)
MacKenzie Denson leads the University of Tulsa with a stellar .433 batting average, showcasing consistency and skill at the plate. Following closely is Imani Edwards, batting .345 with a .712 OPS, contributing significantly to the team's offensive efforts. Haley Morgan's .300 batting average, coupled with her eight RBIs, demonstrates her ability to generate runs. With a collective team batting average of .292 and an OPS of .745, these players, alongside their teammates, form a formidable offensive lineup for the Tulsa softball team.
The Golden Hurricane pitching staff has exhibited a blend of talent and resilience throughout their games this season, as evidenced by their individual overall pitching statistics. Kylee Nash leads the staff with a solid 2.77 ERA and a WHIP of 1.77, showcasing her ability to keep opposing hitters at bay. Anneca Anderson has also been a reliable presence on the mound, boasting a 3.14 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP, while Alexa Hopkins has demonstrated her effectiveness with a 3.37 ERA and an impressive 1.03 WHIP. Despite facing some challenges, Maura Moore has contributed with a 6.30 ERA over 20 innings pitched. Together, the pitching staff has compiled a 4.17 ERA and a 1.53 WHIP, showcasing their depth and resilience as they continue to anchor the Golden Hurricane's defense on the diamond.
UNLV (5-3)
Leading the offensive charge for UNLV's softball team are standout players Janyssa Martin, Kelsie Kelso, Maddie Schmidt, and Alyssa Trejo. Martin boasts an impressive .526 batting average and a staggering 1.585 OPS over eight games, while Kelso follows closely behind with a .500 average and eight RBIs across six games. Schmidt maintains a solid .458 average with five RBIs, while Trejo shows off her power with a .364 average and three home runs. Together, they spearhead the team's offensive dominance, contributing significantly to UNLV's collective .341 batting average and impressive 53 runs scored.
UNLV's Rebel pitching staff showcases a blend of talent and versatility, led by Alanna Thiede and Ellie Zellien. Thiede boasts an impressive 1.64 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP, maintaining an undefeated 3-0 record across five appearances. Thiede leads the team in strikeouts with 21. Zellien demonstrates resilience with a 3.44 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP, securing two wins in four appearances. Together, the pitching corps maintains a collective 2.86 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP, delivering five wins in 13 appearances and providing a solid foundation for UNLV's success on the mound.
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