CEDAR CITY, Utah - Southern Utah returns home this weekend for its final Western Athletic Conference series, hosting the Utah Valley Wolverines with postseason positioning on the line. The three-game set will begin with a doubleheader on Friday, May 1, at 1:00 p.m. MT. The teams will have a single game on Saturday, May 2, at noon MT for the season finale. All games will be broadcast on ESPN+, and live stats are available through the link on the schedule page at suutbirds.com.
Friday will be "Fan Appreciation Day" at Kathryn Berg Field. Southern Utah will honor some of the top supporters of T-Birds softball before the game, and fans in attendance get free hot dogs between the games. Saturday will be "Senior Day" as we honor Delaney Baker and Alayah Toscano with a quick spotlight following the game.
The Thunderbirds punched their ticket to the conference tournament last week and now turn their focus to climbing the standings. SUU enters the weekend in fifth place at 5-10 in WAC play, just behind Utah Valley (6-9), setting up a pivotal series with direct seeding implications.
The T-Birds are looking to rebound after a hard-fought series against UT Arlington that featured three tight games, capped by a tough 8-7 walk-off loss in the finale. Southern Utah will aim to recapture last year's success against the Wolverines, when it swept a three-game set in Orem. This weekend also marks the end of an era, as it will be the final meeting between the programs as WAC foes. Utah Valley is set to join the Big West Conference, while the Thunderbirds return to the Big Sky Conference in July.
Coach Don Don Williams Said
"This is our final home series of the year, and we're fired up to close it out strong in front of our fans against a talented Utah Valley team. Their hitters are dangerous, so it's going to start in the circle. We'll have to keep them off balance with quality pitching and continue playing our solid defense. We're fighting right there with Utah Valley to jump into the fourth seed, and if we outproduce them offensively while competing every single pitch, we'll give ourselves a great chance to sweep and carry that momentum into the WAC Tournament."
Southern Utah
Junior Arianna Ramirez continues to set the tone for the Thunderbirds, hitting a blistering .385 with 55 hits, 10 doubles, and a .425 on-base percentage while driving in 26 runs. Right behind her, Taralyn Ollison has been a steady force, batting .318 with 48 hits, eight doubles, and a team-best three triples, crossing the plate 26 times and keeping constant pressure on opposing defenses. Freshman McKenzy Becerra brings the thunder in the middle, leading the Thunderbirds with seven home runs, 33 RBIs, and a .555 slugging percentage. Michaella Salvatierra has been electric, hitting .303 while scoring a team-high 28 runs and going a perfect 9-for-9 on stolen bases. Senior Alayah Toscano has delivered in key moments with 17 RBIs and a .365 on-base percentage, while Savannah Lira adds another dangerous bat with five home runs and 25 RBIs, giving the lineup production from top to bottom.
In the circle, the Thunderbirds have relied on a staff built on versatility and innings. Hannah Duncan has carried the bulk of the workload, logging a team-high 89 innings with 64 strikeouts, four complete games, and three saves while handling both starting and closing duties. Avery Nielson has emerged as a go-to option, leading the team with six wins and adding four saves across 65+ innings, while Riley Nielson has chipped in over 60 innings with three wins and two complete games. Senior Delaney Baker has added five wins and three complete games of her own, highlighted by a shutout performance earlier this season. As the stretch run heats up, Southern Utah's combination of offensive firepower and a staff capable of grinding through innings keeps them firmly in the fight every time they step on the field.
Across the Diamond
Utah Valley
The Wolverines' offense is powered by a balanced lineup led by Tatum Hall, who is hitting .429 with 10 home runs, 45 RBIs, and a 1.260 OPS. Britney Moreno has been a catalyst at the top, batting .417 with a team-high 65 hits and 48 runs scored, while Amber Rodriguez adds consistency with 54 hits and 22 RBIs. Emma Haygood provides power in the middle with six home runs and 33 RBIs, and Angelique Mann and Bailey Marvin continue to drive in runs and produce extra-base hits. With contributions throughout the order, the Wolverines are hitting .342 as a team with 253 RBIs, making them a constant offensive threat.
Utah Valley's pitching staff is led by Lily Riley, who has been the team's workhorse with a 13-8 record over 137.1 innings, striking out 100 batters while posting a 3.92 ERA and eight complete games. Payge Armendariz and Ella Miller have provided key support in the rotation, combining for 10 wins and over 100 innings pitched, while also adding strikeout production. Hannah Ortega has contributed valuable depth to the staff, appearing in 21 games, as the Wolverines have leaned on a mix of arms throughout the season. As a staff, they hold a 5.14 ERA with 199 strikeouts across nearly 300 innings, showing the ability to manage games and keep the team competitive.
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