CEDAR CITY, Utah - Southern Utah Softball is coming off its most successful season in a decade, with a mark of 21-29 on the year. Director of Athletics Doug Knuth is rewarding Head Coach Don Don Williams with a contract extension based on the dramatic turnaround.
Director of Athletics Doug Knuth Said
"I am thrilled to announce a contract extension for Softball head coach Don Don Williams. Her leadership, dedication, and passion for the game and her student-athletes have been instrumental in the improvement of our softball program this year. With Coach Williams leading the way and the new Softball complex being built next year, the future is bright for SUU Softball. We look forward to continued success under her guidance."
The Thunderbirds are fresh off their first-ever Western Athletic Conference tournament, where they eliminated Utah Tech in the first round before falling to the host school, Seattle, and the #2-seeded California Baptist. During the 2024 season, Coach Williams surpassed a major milestone, winning her 700th career game as a coach.
Coach Don Don Williams Said
"I am grateful to President Mindy Benson, Athletic Director Doug Knuth, and Southern Utah University for the opportunity to continue leading the softball program. Southern Utah is a special place with dedicated faculty and staff who prioritize the success of our student-athletes. Our student-athletes are given the chance to pursue their lifelong dreams, obtain an excellent education, and embark on careers of their choice. This contract extension provides a solid foundation for our program to continue building a competitive team for years to come."
Southern Utah saw improvements in nearly every aspect of the game between the 2023 and 2024 seasons. The team's batting average improved by 20 points, while the slugging percentage went up by almost 50 points from the previous season. The Thunderbirds hit double the amount of home runs and scored 74 runs more than they did in the '23 campaign.
The T-Birds pitching staff saw a dramatic improvement as well, cutting the team ERA in half from a year ago while allowing 42 fewer runs. Southern Utah allowed opposing offenses to hit .322 on the season, down from the .390 mark set in 2023. Possibly one of the biggest improvements for the pitching staff was the increase in strikeouts, where the team total rose by 87. This included freshman pitcher Emily Delgado who surpassed the team total from last season by herself, striking out 101 batters on the year.
The Thunderbirds will look to continue to improve this offseason as Coach Williams and her staff recruit for next season's team. Keep an eye out for more information on the student-athletes that the softball team will add over the next few months.
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