CEDAR CITY, Utah - The Thunderbirds will open the 2025 campaign on Friday, February 7, at the UNLV Desert Classic. The Thunderbirds will take on the #24 University of Oregon at 1:30 p.m. MT on Thursday and return to the park later that night to square off with the Host from UNLV.
The T-Birds will continue the tournament on Saturday, February 8, with back-to-back matchups against #24 Oregon and the University of Buffalo beginning at 11:00 a.m. MT. Southern Utah will wrap up the weekend tournament on Sunday, February 9, at 1:00 p.m. MT, when they take on the Rebels for the second time.
Coach Don Don Williams Said
"We have seen a lot of growth with this team this year. The returners got a taste of postseason play last season and they have been determined to put the work in and elevate the team's performance to get back to the conference tournament."
"Our pre-season is challenging this year. We will see elite pitching and some tough teams through the end of February. This is going to take mental toughness, grit, and the ability to make adjustments pitch by pitch. This schedule will help prepare us for the tough WAC competition we will see starting in March."
Southern Utah
The Southern Utah Thunderbirds are returning a strong core of veteran leaders while welcoming a talented group of newcomers. The outfield is expected to be a significant strength, anchored by junior Alayah Toscano, who started all 50 games last season and brings both defensive reliability and offensive consistency. Sophomore returners Taralyn Ollison and Belle Freund add depth and experience, while freshmen Michaella Salvatierra, Aubrie Burgos, and Isabella Knight bring speed, versatility, and the potential for offensive firepower.
The infield and pitching staff also look poised for success, with standout returners Ariyana Miranda and Laurie Cooke providing stability and leadership. Miranda's power at the plate makes her one of the team's biggest offensive threats, while Cooke's steady presence at shortstop ensures a strong defensive foundation. The pitching rotation, led by senior Keimon Winston, has shown significant growth under the guidance of Assistant Coach Taylor McQuillin and will be key in keeping the Thunderbirds competitive in the WAC. Southern Utah is primed to build on last year's success and make a statement in the 2025 season.
#24 Oregon
The 24th-ranked Oregon Ducks are set to kick off their 2025 season at the UNLV Desert Classic, marking their first games in Las Vegas since 2014. Oregon is eager to snap a two-year skid of season-opening losses, and they'll have the chance to do so in a historic first-ever matchup with Buffalo. The Ducks will also take on Southern Utah for the first time since 2016 and UNLV for the first time since 2017, adding intrigue to their opening weekend. With just two wins needed to reach 1,500 all-time victories, Oregon has the opportunity to hit a major program milestone early in the season.
Speed and defense will again be strengths for the Ducks, led by redshirt senior Kai Luschar, who paced the Pac-12 with 27 stolen bases last season while ranking fifth in the conference with a .410 batting average. Meanwhile, senior shortstop Paige Sinicki continues to anchor the infield, entering the season with 129 consecutive starts and fresh off winning Oregon's first-ever Gold Glove in 2024. Luschar and Sinicki headline a talented roster that features multiple players earning preseason honors, including standout freshman infielders Kaylynn Jones and Elyse Kresho. With a mix of experience and promising young talent, the Ducks aim to make a strong statement in their opening tournament.
UNLV
UNLV enters the 2025 season with high expectations, having been picked to finish fourth in the Mountain West preseason coaches poll. The Rebels are coming off a strong 31-19 campaign, including a 14-8 conference record, and will be looking to build on that success with a mix of veteran leadership and fresh talent. Senior Ariana Martinez and sophomore Jesse Farrell headline the roster, both earning spots on the All-MW Preseason Team. Martinez, a three-time All-MW first-team selection, led UNLV in batting average (.396) and RBI (51) last season, while Farrell established herself as one of the nation's top young catchers, leading the Rebels with 11 home runs as a freshman. With six returners and 15 newcomers, UNLV will look to establish its identity early in the season while defending its home turf, hosting the UNLV Desert Classic.
Buffalo
The University at Buffalo softball team faced a challenging 2024 season, finishing with a 16-32 overall record and a 7-18 mark in conference play. Despite their struggles in the win column, the Bulls showcased strong defensive performances, highlighted by returning infielder Abbey Nagel, who posted a perfect fielding percentage. Catcher Lyla Ambrose was another defensive standout with a .979 fielding percentage while handling a significant number of chances. The team turned 11 double plays, matching their opponents in this category, and was aggressive on the basepaths, successfully stealing 150 bases in 171 attempts.
Offensively, the Bulls were led by Nagel, who posted a .279 batting average with ten doubles, one triple, and 11 RBIs. Mia Mitchell provided power in the lineup, blasting nine home runs and driving in 24 runs. However, the team as a whole struggled to keep up with opponents, batting just .250 on the year. The Bulls will look to improve on last season in the opening weekend.
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