CEDAR CITY, Utah - Southern Utah is hitting the road to Texas for its next Western Athletic Conference series. The Thunderbirds will take on Abilene Christian University in a three-game set. The two teams will square off in a doubleheader on Friday, March 14, beginning at 1:00 p.m. MT. The Thunderbirds will continue the series with a single game on Saturday, March 15, at 10:00 a.m. MT. All three games will be broadcast on ESPN+, and a link to the live stats will be available on the schedule page.
The Thunderbirds are coming off an opening weekend series win against Tarleton State. Southern Utah took games one and two before falling in a very close game three. The T-Birds are now 7-15 on the year with a 2-1 mark in WAC play. During the opening weekend, Abilene Christian was swept by Seattle but stayed in the Pacific Northwest to take on Oregon and Oregon State, falling in all three games. The Wildcats are winless against the WAC at 0-3 with a 4-22 overall record.
Coach Don Don Williams Said
"We showed flashes of what we're capable of last weekend, but to win on the road in this conference, we need to be sharp in all facets—offense, defense, and pitching. It's about playing a complete game every time we step on the field. If we compete with focus and execute, we'll put ourselves in a position to be successful."
Southern Utah
Southern Utah's offense has thrived on the consistent production of Michaella Salvatierra, Arianna Ramirez, and Ariyana Miranda. Salvatierra has been an igniting force at the top of the lineup, batting .279 while showcasing her speed with 13 stolen bases on 15 attempts. Ramirez has been a powerhouse at the plate, hitting .303 with a team-leading .470 slugging percentage, delivering key extra-base hits, including five doubles and two home runs. Miranda has been one of the most disciplined bats in the lineup, posting a team-best .434 on-base percentage while driving in 14 runs. With their ability to get on base and spark the offense, this trio has been the heartbeat of the Thunderbirds' lineup, keeping them in the fight all season.
In the circle, Keimon Winston and Emily Delgado have been the foundation of the Thunderbirds' pitching staff, taking on the bulk of the innings. Winston leads the team with 56.2 innings pitched, tallying a team-high 37 strikeouts. Her durability has been key, recording two complete games and a shutout. Delgado has been just as dependable, posting a 3.02 ERA over 46.1 innings while limiting opponents to a .287 batting average. She has also contributed two complete games, a shutout, three wins, and a save. The Thunderbirds' pitching staff has flashed dominance at times, and their ability to keep opposing lineups in check will remain a critical factor in the team's success.
Across the Diamond
Abilene Christian
Abilene Christian's offensive leaders have been spearheaded by Taylor Bachmeyer, who boasts a team-high .329 batting average and .806 OPS across 26 games. Her consistency at the plate has resulted in 26 hits, including five doubles and a home run, driving in nine RBIs while maintaining a solid .430 slugging percentage. Elizabeth Schaefer has also contributed significantly, recording a .243 average with 17 hits and 10 walks, helping her post a .354 on-base percentage. Audrey Lacina adds power to the lineup, leading the team with seven doubles and tallying 18 hits. Additionally, Catrin Hoffman has been an efficient contributor with a .278 average and an impressive .847 OPS in limited appearances, showcasing her ability to get on base with nine walks and three hit-by-pitches. Despite struggles across the lineup, these players have been the key offensive forces for the Wildcats.
Abilene Christian's pitching staff has struggled this season, posting a collective 7.18 ERA and a 4-21 record. Lina Russo has been the team's workhorse, leading the staff with 71.2 innings pitched across 14 appearances, including 13 starts. She has a 4.49 ERA and 49 strikeouts, limiting opponents to a .258 batting average while throwing the team's lone shutout. Ella Beeman has contributed 28.1 innings and a 6.18 ERA, though control has been an issue with 22 walks. Chase Mueller and Taylor Haywood have also seen significant innings, but both have ERAs over 8.90 and opposing batting averages above .360, allowing a combined 81 earned runs in 49.2 innings. With a high WHIP of 2.03 and opponents hitting .309 against them, the Wildcats' pitching staff will need to improve control and limit extra-base hits to turn their season around.
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