The Southern Utah University women’s softball team has officially started their 2024 season in the Fullerton Eastern Classic tournament in California that stretched over three days. In their five-game series, Southern Utah went 4-1, including two wins against the University of the Pacific and the University of Illinois Chicago. Their lone loss was to Colorado State University.
Friday
To open up the 2024 campaign, Southern Utah first faced off against UIC on Friday, Feb. 9, at 9:30 a.m. Both pitchers pitched well in the first two innings, not allowing anyone on base. In the top of the third, senior catcher Bella Garcia led things off with a single through the right side. After freshman Belle Freund came in as a pinch-runner for Garcia, Alayah Toscano singled to left field, scoring Freund and giving SUU a 1-0 lead.
In the bottom of the third, UIC scored thanks to a Carlee Jo Clark single to left field, scoring Cameran Rios. In the fourth inning, with runners on first and third base, Southern Utah made a fielding error, scoring Larisa Villa and giving UIC a 2-1 lead.
SUU answered back in the top of the fifth, scoring two runs off a double from Toscano, to put SUU up 3-2. Freshman pitcher Emily Delgado came in to relieve starting pitcher Keimon Winston. Delgado pitched very well, facing and retiring nine batters and to secure the 3-2 win for Southern Utah.
Saturday
Southern Utah continued their tournament on Saturday, Feb. 10, by playing two games. In their first game, Southern Utah faced the University of the Pacific. SUU continued to play well, scoring three runs in the first three innings thanks to a pair of home runs from Ariyana Miranda and Emily Gonzalez.
Miranda continued her strong game play in the fourth inning, hitting a two-run single and increasing the lead to 6-1. Pacific scored a run in the bottom of the fourth off a fielder’s choice, although it wasn’t enough — Riley Nielson pitched six strong innings and earned the 6-2 win.
In their second game, Southern Utah struggled against Colorado State. Molly Gates hit a two-run single, part of a three-run first inning for the Rams. Colorado State continued their offensive performance, scoring four more runs over the next two innings. Southern Utah got on the board in the top of the fourth off a solo home run from Miranda, but all it did was ruin the shutout, and Colorado State came out on top 8-1.
Sunday
On the final day of the Fullerton Eastern Classic, Southern Utah started the morning off strong by beating UIC 4-0 in the first of their two games. The biggest moment of the game came when Garcia hit a grand slam in the top of the first inning to get SUU on the board. On the defensive side, Delgado pitched a complete game for Southern Utah, allowing only three hits and striking out six batters to secure the 4-0 win for the Thunderbirds.
Southern Utah faced off against Pacific for the second time in the final game of the tournament. Miranda led another strong first inning, getting the scoring started with a two-run double to right center field as part of a four-run first inning. Pacific answered back in the sixth inning with an inside-the-park home run by Rian Dirmeyer. Southern Utah followed that up with a home run of their own off the bat of pinch-hitter Shelby Basso to give SUU the win 6-2.
Top performers for Southern Utah
— Karmyna Becerra and Garcia led SUU in hitting with averages of .444 each.
— Delgado led Southern Utah in pitching, striking out 12 batters in 13.2 innings pitched.
— Miranda led the Thunderbirds with two home runs and 12 runs batted in.
Southern Utah will travel to compete in the Torero Classic at San Diego on Friday, Feb. 16, through Sunday, Feb. 18.
Author: Jack Paul
Photographer: Anden Garfield
Editor: Anden Garfield
sports@suunews.net
