CEDAR CITY, Utah - The T-Birds will be on the road again this weekend at the Long Beach Wilson Tournament in Long Beach, California. Southern Utah will take on a variety of teams in the three-day tournament, including Kansas, Oregon State, Iowa State, Saint Mary's, and California. The Thunderbirds will open the tournament against Kansas on Friday, February 14, at 10:00 a.m. MT.
The schedule for this weekend is subject to change, as inclement weather is expected in Long Beach during the three-day tournament. Please follow @suusoftball on your favorite social media site for updates.
Coach Don Don Williams Said
"We have an opportunity to once again face some tough competition this weekend. Pre-season is about learning to make adjustments and getting better every week."
Southern Utah
The Thunderbirds have several key offensive threats leading their lineup early in the season. Arianna Ramirez has been a consistent force, boasting a .400 batting average and a .500 on-base percentage while driving in six runs. Amyah Boostedt has emerged as a power threat with a 1.162 OPS, three extra-base hits, and a team-high 12 total bases. Laurie Cooke has also been a significant contributor, hitting .333 with a .600 slugging percentage and leading the team in walks (4), showing strong plate discipline. Kassidy Munoz has been effective in clutch situations, tallying four RBIs with a .375 OBP. Speedster Michaella Salvatierra has been aggressive on the basepaths, swiping five bases in six attempts while also drawing five walks. As the season progresses, these players will be crucial in driving the Thunderbirds' offensive success.
The Thunderbirds' pitching staff has faced early-season challenges but continues to develop key contributors. Keimon Winston has emerged as the most reliable arm, leading the team with 11.1 innings pitched and a 1.50 WHIP. She has also recorded seven strikeouts and secured the team's lone save. Riley Nielson and Delaney Baker have both started games for the Thunderbrids and are expected to be a big part of the rotation this season. Despite limited innings, Maddie Moreno earned the team's first win of the season. As the season progresses, the Thunderbirds will look to Winston's consistency while aiming for improvements across the staff.
Across the Diamond
Kansas
Kansas Softball has shown a balanced offensive effort early in the season, with multiple players stepping up across different categories. Aynslee Linduff has been a key contributor at the plate, leading the team with a two-run performance against Clemson and recording two hits in multiple games. Hailey Cripe delivered the most RBIs in a single game (three) against Missouri State, while Olivia Bruno showcased power with a home run against Ole Miss. Presley Limbaugh leads the team with a .375 batting average, collecting six hits, including three doubles. The team has also demonstrated aggressiveness on the bases, with four players successfully stealing a base. However, on the pitching side, Kansas has struggled defensively, particularly in their matchup against Wisconsin, where Katie Brooks allowed five earned runs and nine hits over 5.1 innings. Kaelee Washington has been solid in the circle with a 1.86 ERA over 9.2 innings pitched this season. The pitching staff will need to limit walks and extra-base hits to support the team's offensive efforts this weekend.
Oregon State
Oregon State softball is off to a strong start in the 2025 season, coming off a winning weekend at the Mustang Classic in San Luis Obispo. The Beavers showcased their offensive firepower, scoring 41 runs and collecting 47 hits. With standout performances from Tristian Thompson, who leads the team with 10 RBIs, and Paige Bambarger, who is batting .500, OSU is proving to be a force at the plate. Logan Hulon leads the West Coast Conference in strikeouts and wins, while Ellie Garcia leads Oregon State in era at 3.20 across 15.1 innings pitched. The Beavers are a formidable opponent in this weekend's tournament.
Saint Mary's
The Gaels have shown solid offensive contributions early in the 2025 season, with Alex Cutonilli leading in runs scored (3) and hits (5). Cutonilli showed off her power with a home run and two RBIs against Boise State. On the basepaths, Camille Lara and Tori Cervantes added speed with stolen bases. Defensively, Avrey Wolverton stood out in the circle, pitching a complete seven-inning game against Idaho State, though she and Odhi Vasquez struggled at times, allowing multiple runs and walks. Chelsea Bennett also contributed with a five-strikeout performance. While the offense has flashes of explosiveness, pitching consistency will be key for Saint Mary's in the second week of the season.
Iowa State
Iowa State has had a challenging start, posting a 1-4 record while struggling both offensively and defensively against opponents. The Cyclones are hitting .270 as a team, with Jessie Clemons leading the way at .500, followed by Sereniti Trice and Sydney Malott, both above .350. Despite some bright spots at the plate, Iowa State's offense has been outmatched, with opponents batting .345 and outscoring them 36-21. The Cyclones have a 6.03 ER on the mound, with Lauren Schurman performing the best at 3.18. However, the pitching staff has struggled with command, allowing 18 walks and 36 runs over 31.1 innings.
California
Cal Softball has been firing on all cylinders to start the season, posting a solid .333 team batting average. Leading the charge at the plate is Alyssa Herrera, who's hitting a blistering .500 with four RBIs, while Lagi Quiroga has been a force with a .412 average, three home runs, and five RBIs. The Bears have shown off their power with 15 extra-base hits and a total of 34 RBIs, outpacing their competition in both categories. Cal has been sharp defensively, turning four double plays and committing just eight errors. On the mound, Annabel Teperson has been nearly untouchable, posting a team-leading 1.05 ERA, while the Bears as a whole have combined for a solid 3.72 ERA. With only 16 walks and 20 strikeouts, their pitchers have kept hitters in check. Cal's also proven dangerous on the base paths, stealing three bags on four attempts while holding opponents to just one stolen base. With a potent offense, airtight defense, and steady pitching, Cal has made a strong statement early in the season.
Follow Us
Stay up to date on the Thunderbird Softball team by following @SUUSoftball on Twitter and Instagram and liking the Southern Utah softball page on Facebook.
Donate
To help support Thunderbird athletics, consider making a donation today! To learn more about how you can support, click here.
