CEDAR CITY, Utah - The Thunderbirds are back on the road for a series at Seattle University this weekend. The three-game set will begin with a doubleheader on Friday, April 18, at 3:00 p.m. MT. The final game of the series will take place at noon on Saturday, April 19. The games will be available to stream on ESPN+, and live stat links are available on the softball schedule page.
The T-Birds are coming off a huge rivalry series win over Utah Tech. Southern Utah will look to build on the momentum from last weekend's come-from-behind wins. The Thunderbirds now sit at 6-9 in WAC conference play with three weeks to go. Seattle struggled last weekend, getting swept by Grand Canyon on the road. The Redhawks are 2-8 in their last ten games and looking to turn the tide at home.
Coach Don Don Williams Said
"This time of year, we need to show up and compete in every series. We have proven we are never out of the game, and we need to take some momentum from last weekend to Seattle with us."
WAC Player of the Week
Southern Utah sophomore Arianna Ramirez has been named the WAC Player of the Week after a dominant weekend at the plate, leading the Thunderbirds to a rivalry series win over Utah Tech. Ramirez hit an incredible .700 across the three-game set, collecting seven hits—including two home runs, a double, and four singles—while driving in eight runs and scoring five. Her clutch performance included a four-hit game and a three-RBI outing in SUU's dramatic 9-8 win last Friday. With a 1.400 slugging percentage and .667 OBP in the series, Ramirez now boasts a .350 season average, six home runs, and 25 RBIs—surpassing last year's totals and helping keep SUU in the WAC race.
Southern Utah
Southern Utah's offense has been fueled by the standout trio of Ariyana Miranda, Michaella Salvatierra, and Arianna Ramirez. Miranda has provided steady production at the plate, batting .291 with a .398 slugging percentage, driving in 21 runs, and adding a .383 on-base percentage. Salvatierra has sparked the top of the lineup, hitting .355 and wreaking havoc on the basepaths with 18 stolen bases in 20 attempts. Ramirez has brought the power, hitting .350 with a .592 slugging percentage, collecting seven doubles and six home runs to give the Thunderbirds a consistent power threat in the middle of the order. Together, they've been instrumental in creating scoring chances and keeping SUU competitive all season long.
On the mound, Keimon Winston and Emily Delgado have been pillars of consistency and poise. Both pitchers have recorded 39 strikeouts, with Winston tossing 74 innings while holding opponents to a .295 average and tossing two complete games. Delgado has delivered in big moments, posting a 4.23 ERA, limiting hitters to a .304 average, and tallying seven complete games, one shutout, six wins, and a save. Their combined efforts have anchored the pitching staff and provided crucial innings when the team needed them most.
Across the Diamond
Seattle
A dynamic core of consistent hitters and powerful sluggers has driven Seattle's offensive firepower this season. Leading the charge is Avari Morris, boasting an outstanding .467 batting average and 1.131 OPS, with 35 hits in just 75 at-bats and a .518 on-base percentage. Taylor Fitch has been a key run producer, leading the team with 10 home runs and 40 RBIs, paired with a strong .318 average and a team-best .644 slugging percentage. Right behind her, Karen Spadafora and Nicola Simpson have been reliable all-around threats, each posting over a .325 average and contributing a combined 15 home runs and 50 RBIs. Jasmine Wehn has been a steady presence at the plate as well, leading the team in hits (44) and driving in 34 runs with a .324 average. Speed has also played a role in Seattle's offense, with Tai Wilson topping the stolen base chart at 10-for-11, while also crossing the plate a team-high 38 times. Together, this group has provided the offensive depth and balance fueling Seattle's success at the plate.
Seattle's pitching staff has been anchored by standout performances from Nicola Simpson and Berkley Vance, who have combined to provide consistency and control in the circle. Simpson leads the rotation with a team-best 1.90 ERA across 88.1 innings, tallying 76 strikeouts and holding opposing hitters to a .230 average. Her dominance includes nine complete games and two shutouts. Vance has also been a key contributor, logging 79.1 innings with a solid 2.65 ERA and 54 strikeouts, while maintaining a slightly lower WHIP (1.27) than Simpson. While Avari Morris and Naomi Chaidez have added depth, it's been Simpson and Vance setting the tone with their reliability and strong command.
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