CEDAR CITY, Utah - The Thunderbirds return to Cedar City to continue WAC play with a series against California Baptist. The series will start with a doubleheader on Friday, March 21, at 1:00 p.m. MT. The T-Birds will continue the series with a single game on Saturday, March 22, at noon MT. All games will be broadcast on ESPN+, and live stats are available through the links on the schedule page.
The T-Birds faced a tough series on the road against Abilene Christian last week, dropping all three games. The Thunderbirds struggled offensively, falling 6-0 and 1-0 in Friday's doubleheader despite a strong pitching performance from Emily Delgado, who threw a complete game in the second matchup. On Saturday, SUU battled hard but fell 2-1, with freshman Michaella Salvatierra leading the offense with three hits and scoring the team's only run. Delgado continued her dominance in the circle, allowing just one earned run on four hits.
The Thunderbirds hold a 7-18 overall record and are 2-4 in conference play as they prepare to host California Baptist, who is 13-15 overall with a 2-1 record against the WAC.
Coach Don Don Williams Said
"We're just a few plays away from a different outcome, and we know we have what it takes to turn things around. This team is battling every inning, and the fight is there—it's just about finishing. We're learning from these close games, and that will make us stronger as we move forward. We have an opportunity to show our resilience this weekend on our home field."
Southern Utah
Southern Utah's offense has been driven by the steady production of Ariyana Miranda, Michaella Salvatierra, and Arianna Ramirez. Miranda leads the team with a .310 batting average and a .451 slugging percentage, contributing 15 RBIs and maintaining a disciplined approach at the plate with a .379 on-base percentage. Salvatierra has been a catalyst at the top of the lineup, batting .299 and using her speed to swipe 13 bases on 15 attempts. Ramirez has added power to the lineup, hitting .293 with a .440 slugging percentage, including five doubles and two home runs. This trio's ability to get on base and generate scoring opportunities has been crucial in keeping the Thunderbirds competitive all season.
In the circle, Keimon Winston and Emily Delgado have anchored the pitching staff, each logging over 58 innings. Winston has led the team with 37 strikeouts, demonstrating her durability with two complete games and a shutout. Delgado has been equally reliable, posting a 2.64 ERA while holding opponents to a .275 batting average. Her contributions include four complete games, a shutout, three wins, and a save. Together, Winston and Delgado have given the Thunderbirds a fighting chance in numerous tight contests this season.
Across the Diamond
California Baptist
Senior slugger Kate Penberthy has been a force for the Lancers, hitting .361 with a 1.099 OPS while racking up 30 hits, including six doubles, three triples, and four home runs. She's also driven in a team-high 24 RBIs. Right behind her is Kalena Burns, who boasts a .351 average and a .610 slugging percentage, adding five homers and 14 RBIs. Matti Severns has provided consistency, batting .327 with 17 hits and a solid .386 on-base percentage. Ashlee Annett has also been a key contributor, hitting .305 with 25 hits and 10 RBIs. With Penberthy and Burns providing the power and Severns and Annett setting the table, the Lancers have established a well-rounded offensive attack that keeps the pressure on opposing pitchers.
California Baptist's pitching staff has been anchored by a trio of arms, with Lili Arana leading the way. Arana has posted a solid 3.29 ERA across 34 innings, holding opponents to a .246 batting average while striking out 22. She remains unbeaten with a 4-0 record, providing consistent outings for the Lancers. Annika Hollingsworth has also been a reliable presence in the circle, logging 73 innings with a 3.45 ERA and a team-leading 49 strikeouts. Her two complete games highlight her ability to go the distance. Morgan McConnell has shouldered the heaviest workload, throwing 78 innings over 22 appearances. Despite a 3-10 record, she's collected three saves and remains a key arm in high-pressure situations. With a collective ERA of 3.75, the Lancers' pitching staff has kept them competitive throughout 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.
