CEDAR CITY, Utah - The Thunderbirds will hit the road once again this weekend, traveling to Riverside, California, for the annual Amy S. Harrison Classic. Southern Utah will open the tournament on Friday at 10:00 a.m. against the University of Nevada before squaring off with the host team, UC Riverside, in an afternoon tilt. The Thunderbirds will take on the same two teams in a back-to-back doubleheader starting at 11:00 a.m. MT Saturday. On the tournament's final day, the Thunderbirds will take on the Wolfpack in a single game beginning at 12:30 p.m. MT.
Game Information
Southern Utah at the Amy S. Harrison Classic
Friday, March 1, 2024 - Sunday, March 3, 2024
SUU vs. UNR: 10:00 a.m. MT Friday | Live Stats
SUU vs. UCR: 3:00 p.m. MT Friday | Live Stats
SUU vs. UNR: 11:00 a.m. MT Saturday | Live Stats
SUU vs. UCR: 1:30 p.m. MT Saturday | Live Stats
SUU vs. UNR: 12:30 p.m. MT Sunday | Live Stats
Coach Don Don Williams Said
"This is our last weekend of pre-season. We are looking forward to playing some quality opponents that will prepare us for the WAC conference play."
Southern Utah
The Thunderbirds have been led at the plate by junior Ariyana Miranda, who has swung the bat well all season. Miranda has a battling average of .347 on the year, with a team-leading 14 RBIs and six home runs. Junior Karmyna Becerra is currently leading the team in batting average with .373. She has three RBIs from the leadoff spot this season and has an impressive six doubles so far. Senior catcher Bella Garcia has had an explosive bat this season, with a .370 batting average and four RBIs in 27 at-bats.
In the circle, the Thunderbirds have been led by junior Keimon Winston. Winston has three wins this year and has pitched 29 innings for the Thunderbirds. She has a 3.86 ERA on the season and has struck out 22 batters thus far. Southern Utah Freshman Emily Delgado has also been a solid starter. She has pitched 38 innings this season, including a complete game shutout against UIC in the opening tournament. Delgado has a 4.97 ERA and leads the team with 30 strikeouts this season.
UC Riverside Highlanders (3-9)
Nadia Witt is the offensive linchpin for the Highlanders. Witt has showcased her batting brilliance, boasting a staggering .472 average and an eye-popping 1.396 OPS over the course of 12 hard-fought games. With a keen eye at the plate, Witt has not only amassed 17 hits but has also showcased her power with four doubles, two triples, and two homers. With a batting average of .389, Rebeca Cabezas brings consistency and stability to UC Riverside's lineup, tallying 14 hits and driving in 8 runs over 12 games. Lauryn Garewal also adds depth to the Highlanders' offense, hitting .350 with a .756 OPS.
UC Riverside's pitching staff, led by Brooke Perez, Alexis Galvan, and Briza Blanco, has faced its share of challenges throughout the season. Perez has shown promise with a 3.34 ERA and a 2.05 WHIP across six appearances despite encountering some tough innings. Galvan's 5.16 ERA and four strikeouts over 20 innings pitched reflect her efforts to keep the Highlanders competitive. Blanco's 7.00 ERA, while higher, showcases her resilience in battling adversity, even securing a crucial save. The staff sits with a 5.64 ERA on the season so far.
Nevada Wolfpack (12-4)
The offensive leaders for the University of Nevada's softball team showcase an impressive lineup. Gabby Herrera leads the charge for the Wolfpack with a stellar .479 batting average and a remarkable 1.444 OPS over 16 games. Chelie Senini follows closely behind with a .462 batting average, contributing significantly to the team's performance. Haley Painter's explosive hitting power is evident with a .451 average and an outstanding 1.528 OPS, highlighted by her six home runs and 17 RBIs. Taryn Jenkins and Maile Olsen also demonstrate their offensive prowess, batting .442 and .350 respectively. Together, these standout players fuel the team's impressive .365 batting average, driving Nevada's offensive success on the field.
The Wolfpack pitching staff has been a formidable force on the mound this season, boasting a collective ERA of 2.18 and a WHIP of 1.21. Tyra Clary leads the charge with an impressive 1.35 ERA and a solid 1.11 WHIP, showcasing her ability to stifle opposing hitters with precision and control. Blake Craft has also been a key contributor, maintaining a stellar 1.39 ERA while striking out an incredible 34 batters. Carley Brown adds to the depth of the pitching rotation with her 1.96 ERA and 1.15 WHIP, proving her reliability and consistency on the mound. Brown is 4-0 on the season, while Blake has posted an impressive 5-1 record. The pitching staff as a whole has demonstrated resilience and effectiveness, holding opponents to a .246 batting average and leading the Wolfpack to a successful season thus far.
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