CEDAR CITY, Utah - The Thunderbirds will host UNLV for their home opener on Tuesday, March 5, at 2:00 p.m. MT. The Thunderbirds are coming off an impressive 3-1 weekend at the Amy S. Harrison Classic in Riverside, California. The Rebels just finished 3-2 at the San Diego tournament.
Game Information
Southern Utah vs. UNLV
Friday, March 1, 2024 - Sunday, March 3, 2024
SUU vs. UNLV: 2:00 p.m. MT Tuesday Watch Live | Live Stats
Coach Don Don Williams Said
"It's been a long preseason of being on the road every weekend. We are looking forward to playing at home against a quality Mountain West opponent."
Southern Utah
The Thunderbirds have been led at the plate by the junior duo of Ariyana Miranda and Karmyna Becerra. Miranda has a batting average of .323 on the year, with a team-leading 16 RBIs and seven home runs. Becerra is currently leading the team in batting average with .400, bolstered by her seven-for-fourteen performance last weekend. She has seven RBIs from the leadoff spot this season and has an impressive eight doubles so far. Junior infielder Laurie Cooke has had a great preseason with a .317 batting average and five stolen bases.
Southern Utah Freshman Emily Delgado has been a solid starter this year. She has pitched 53 innings this season, including three complete games and a shutout against UIC in the opening tournament. Delgado has a 4.09 ERA and leads the team with 33 strikeouts this season. Junior Keimon Winston has led the Thunderbirds in the circle. 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.
UNLV Rebels
The University of Nevada Las Vegas has posted a 10-8 record on the season so far. Maddie Schmidt leads the pack for the Rebels with an impressive .400 batting average and a .950 OPS. She has shown consistency and power at the plate, with four doubles and eight RBIs. Janyssa Martin follows closely, boasting a .391 average and an impressive 1.128 OPS. Ariana Martinez's .346 average has led her to a team-leading 24 RBIs so far this season and has contributed significantly to the team's offensive attack. Jesse Farrell adds to the team's strength with a .362 average and a stellar 1.084 OPS. Together, these players, along with their teammates, have propelled the team to a collective batting average of .302 and an exceptional 106 total runs scored.
The Rebels' pitching staff has demonstrated resilience and effectiveness throughout the season, led by Alanna Thiede with an impressive 1.62 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP, boasting a notable 7-1 win-loss record across 11 appearances and eight starts. Thiede's consistency on the mound, backed by 38 strikeouts in 52 innings pitched, has been a cornerstone of the team's success. Ellie Zellien has also contributed significantly, despite a slightly higher ERA of 3.65, showcasing resilience with a 3-4 record and four complete games. As a unit, the Rebels' pitching staff has maintained a commendable 2.69 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP across 112 innings, reflecting their ability to keep opposing batters in check and provide crucial support to the team's overall performance.
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