CEDAR CITY, Utah - The Thunderbirds are heading south to take on a tough Grand Canyon team in Phoenix. That series will begin on Friday, April 4, with a doubleheader at 4:30 p.m. MT. Southern Utah will continue that series with a single game on Saturday, April 5, 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 are coming off a bye week and will look to continue to build off a series win over California Baptist at home two weeks ago. Senior Laurie Cooke was explosive at the plate, racking up seven hits over the weekend. Emily Delgado pitched 13 innings in the series against the Lancers. The Sophomore recorded six strikeouts across two games, allowing five earned runs on 16 hits. Delgado earned both wins for the T-Birds in the circle, improving her record to 5-4.
Coach Don Don Williams Said
"We are looking to build on our wins after some much-needed rest from our bye week."
Southern Utah
Southern Utah's offense has been fueled by the consistent production of Ariyana Miranda, Michaella Salvatierra, and Arianna Ramirez. Miranda has been a force at the plate, leading the team with a .341 batting average and a .463 slugging percentage while driving in 19 runs and boasting a .433 on-base percentage. Salvatierra has been a sparkplug at the top of the lineup, hitting .322 and wreaking havoc on the basepaths with 15 stolen bases in 17 attempts. Ramirez has brought the power, slugging .536 with six doubles and four home runs, adding another dimension to the Thunderbirds' attack. Their ability to set the table and cash in on scoring opportunities has kept SUU in the fight all season long.
In the circle, Keimon Winston and Emily Delgado have anchored the Thunderbirds' pitching staff with steady performances. Winston leads the team with 37 strikeouts, showcasing her endurance with two complete games and a shutout. Delgado has been the model of consistency, posting a 2.94 ERA while holding opponents to a .279 batting average. With five complete games, a shutout, five wins, and a save, she has been a key piece in keeping SUU competitive in tight matchups. Winston and Delgado have given the Thunderbirds the arms to battle through the season's toughest tests.
Across the Diamond
Grand Canyon
Savannah Kirk, who boasts an impressive .518 batting average and a .557 on-base percentage, has been the spark for the Lopes this season. She leads the team in hits (58) and stolen bases (29-for-29), proving to be a consistent threat at the plate and on the bases. Jada Cooper has been a powerhouse with a team-high .750 slugging percentage and nine home runs, driving in 32 runs while maintaining a .393 batting average. Emily Gonzalez has also been a key contributor, posting a .360 average with a strong .486 OBP, drawing a team-leading 20 walks. Mia Weckel and Makaiya Gomez round out the team's top offensive performers, hitting .357 and .354, respectively, with Gomez launching eight home runs and driving in 30 runs. With a collective team batting average of .346 and 36 home runs on the season, Grand Canyon's lineup showcases a balanced mix of power, speed, and consistency.
Grand Canyon's pitching staff has been dominant this season, led by Meghan Golden, who boasts a stellar 0.84 ERA and a 0.91 WHIP across 58 innings. With an 8-0 record, she has held opponents to a .194 batting average while striking out 52 batters and allowing just seven earned runs. Taryn Batterton has been another key force in the circle, leading the team in wins with an 11-1 record and tossing two complete games. She has recorded 69 strikeouts in 76 innings while maintaining a solid 1.93 ERA and .221 opponent batting average. Maggie Place has also been a reliable arm, posting a 2.38 ERA with two complete games and limiting hitters to a .243 average. Oakley Vickers has contributed effectively out of the bullpen, holding a 2.15 ERA with 16 strikeouts in 13 innings. Overall, Grand Canyon's pitching staff has combined for a 1.91 team ERA, keeping opposing offenses in check with strong command and consistent performances.
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