CEDAR CITY, Utah - The Thunderbirds are back in action at Kathryn Berg Field on Saturday, April 26, with a doubleheader against UT Arlington beginning at 1:00 p.m. MT. Southern Utah will honor its seniors on Sunday, April 27, following the final game of the series, which starts at noon.
The T-Birds are coming off a key series win on the road at Seattle. Southern Utah will look to build on the momentum against a formidable UTA squad, which has dropped six straight contests. The Thunderbirds and Mavericks are currently tied in the WAC standings, each with an 8-10 record against conference opponents. UT Arlington is 6-7 in true road games this season, while the T-Birds have been solid at home with a 6-3 record across three home stands. While both teams are close to clinching a spot in the WAC tournament, the series could have big-time seeding implications for the postseason.
Coach Don Don Williams Said
"We're looking forward to an exciting weekend at home as we take on a tough UTA team. This group has protected our home field all season, and we take a lot of pride in that. It's our last series at home, and we want to come out strong and carry the momentum from last weekend into Saturday's games."
"Senior Weekend always brings extra emotion, and we'll be leaning on that energy while staying focused on execution. This team has shown resilience all year, and we're ready to compete with purpose and finish strong at home."
Standout Seniors
Following Sunday's series finale, Southern Utah will honor its senior class in a special postgame ceremony, celebrating the careers and contributions of Keimon Winston, Ariyana Miranda, Amyah Boostedt, and Laurie Cooke. Each senior will be recognized on the field alongside their families, receiving a heartfelt sendoff from teammates, coaches, and fans. All four seniors have made significant contributions to the improvement of this program during their tenure, and we look forward to honoring them in their final games at Kathryn Berg Field.
Southern Utah
The Thunderbirds' offense has been powered by a strong core of consistent hitters, with Michaella Salvatierra leading the charge. The freshman has been a sparkplug at the top of the lineup, hitting .352 on the year with 43 hits, 22 runs scored, and a team-high 19 stolen bases. Right behind her is slugger Arianna Ramirez, who brings the thunder with a .325 average and a team-best .922 OPS. Ramirez has launched six home runs and driven in 25 runs, proving to be the Thunderbirds' top power threat. Amyah Boostedt has also provided steady production in the middle of the order, batting .294 with 15 RBIs and six doubles, while Ariyana Miranda adds clutch hitting and run production with 32 hits and 22 RBIs. This offensive quartet has been the engine behind Southern Utah's offense, combining for over 100 hits and nearly 70 RBIs.
Southern Utah's pitching circle is anchored by Emily Delgado, who continues to lead the team in several categories. The junior right-hander leads the team in wins and innings pitched, with 24 appearances. Delgado has delivered eight complete games and notched a shutout, keeping opponents off balance with her ability to work deep into contests. Keimon Winston has provided a solid one-two punch, bringing versatility to the rotation with a mix of starting and relief efforts. Her ability to battle through tough lineups and stay composed in high-pressure situations has added depth to the Thunderbirds' pitching game. Together, Delgado and Winston are the driving force behind Southern Utah's efforts in the circle, combining for all but one of the team's wins and carrying the bulk of the workload throughout the season.
Across the Diamond
UT Arlington
UT Arlington's offense has been fueled by the heavy bats of Kailee Bautista and Dee McClarity, who have emerged as the heart of the Mavericks' lineup. Bautista has been a model of consistency, leading the team with a .314 batting average while also driving in 22 runs and racking up 62 total bases. Her patience at the plate is just as impressive, drawing 25 walks and posting a team-best .455 on-base percentage. McClarity, meanwhile, has been the team's biggest slugger, boasting a team-high 1.012 OPS and a .550 slugging percentage. Despite fewer at-bats, she's made every one count, crushing five home runs and matching Bautista's production with 16 RBIs. Power threats Mia McNulty and Marley Neises have also chipped in with five homers each, rounding out a Mavericks lineup that has shown the ability to strike quickly and often. With this kind of firepower, UT Arlington has proven it can hang with anyone at the plate.
The Mavericks' pitching staff has leaned on the steady arms of Jessica Adams and Emilie Hoelscher to navigate a challenging season in the circle. Adams has been the ace so far, posting a team-best 2.85 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP across 61.1 innings. With six wins, three saves, and only 25 earned runs allowed, she's delivered quality outings whether starting or coming out of the bullpen. Right behind her, Hoelscher has shouldered a similar load with 60.1 innings pitched and a team-high seven wins. She's also the only pitcher on the squad with two complete-game shutouts, showing poise and endurance in high-pressure moments. While the rest of the staff has struggled with consistency, Adams and Hoelscher have kept UT Arlington competitive by anchoring the rotation and providing the team with its best chances to win.
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