The Southern Utah University softball team will be taking on Stephen F. Austin State University this weekend. Due to weather, SUU will be the home team on Utah Tech University’s campus with games on Friday, March 15, at 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. and Saturday, March 16, at noon.
With a 10-10 record, the Thunderbirds had a hot start to the year that ranks them third in the Western Athletic Conference heading into the season, while the Lumberjacks are ranked last in the conference with a 7-20 record. Last year, the Thunderbirds lost their series to the Lumberjacks but secured one win during that weekend.
SFA
The Lumberjacks have a team batting average of .231. Only Kelby Robbins is above .300 at a .316 batting average.
SFA has hit three home runs this season; two were hit by Mikaelah Burkland, who has a .173 batting average.
The leader in the lineup is Madison Nguyen, leading her team with 88 at-bats on the season, at least 20 more at-bats than every other player on the team. Nguyen consistently bats in the top of the lineup and is playing left field. She brings in the most runs for her team with 10.
Aydenne Brown and Alexis Telford are primarily in the circle for the Lumberjacks, racking up 111 innings between them. Brown holds her opponents to a .200 batting average and has struck out 40 batters this season. She is leading her pitching staff with a 3.29 earned run average. Telford carries an ERA of 4.25 and holds her opponents to a .299 batting average.
As a pitching staff, the Lumberjacks have an ERA of 4.08, whereas their opponents have an ERA of 2.27.
SUU
Ariyana Miranda is a beast at the plate and has hit seven home runs this season, bringing in 16 runs for the Thunderbirds. Her batting average is .308 and with 65 at-bats this season.
Thunderbird leadoff batter Karmyna Becerra holds a .391 batting average and has hit nine doubles on the season, securing eight RBIs for her team.
Emily Delgado is on the mound the most for the Thunderbirds, having thrown 56 innings this season. With an ERA of 4.82, Delgado holds her opponents to a .282 batting average. She has won three games for her team, striking out 35 batters.
Delaney Baker is also consistently pitching for SUU and has an ERA of 5.91 in her 34 innings in the circle. She has kept her opponents at a .324 batting average and struck out 10 batters this season.
The Thunderbirds have an overall ERA of 4.85 and a .265 batting average.
Author: Maggie Whipple
Photographer: Anden Garfield
Editor: Anden Garfield
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