The Southern Utah University softball team headed to Long Beach, California to compete in the Long Beach Wilson Tournament starting on Friday, Feb. 14.
Southern Utah went 1-3 over the three-day tournament, competing against Oregon State University, Saint Mary’s College of California, Iowa State University, and University of Kansas.
Game one
Southern Utah started off strong in the first inning. Freshman Michaella Salvatierra got a single, stole second, and made it home off a fielding error from Arianna Ramirez’s hit.
Thunderbirds’ defense and pitching by senior Keimon Winston held firm, shutting down Oregon State despite several base runners. Oregon State had multiple opportunities to score, leaving runners on base in five different innings.
The game ended with Oregon State having zeros across the board, sealing the Thunderbirds’ win, 1-0.
Game two
Southern Utah faced off against Saint Mary’s in game two of their four-game tournament. They continued to have a great pitching and defensive game forcing extra innings.
Neither team could score until the bottom of the fourth inning when SMC pushed the first run of the game.
Southern Utah continued to battle at the plate. Ramirez hit a double to right field, and pinch-runner Tasha Hokanson entered the game. Hokanson advanced to their on a wild pitch before Ariyana Miranda hit a sacrifice fly, letting Hokanson score, tying the game at 1-1.
In the bottom of the eighth, with the bases loaded, SMC’s Alex Cutonilli was walked, driving in the winning run.
Game three
Southern Utah came out strong against Iowa State, setting the tone early. Ramirez led off with a single and Miranda followed with a shot to center field, bringing Ramirez home and putting the T-Birds on the board in the first inning 1-0.
Southern Utah held the lead until the bottom of the third, when Iowa State responded with a run tying the score, 1-1.
The Thunderbirds quickly regained control in the fourth, with Alayah Toscano crossing home plate to push Southern Utah ahead, 2-1.
Iowa State answered back in the next inning, tacking on two more runs to secure a 3-2 victory.
Game four
Southern Utah faced a tough challenge against the University of Kansas, falling behind early as Kansas exploded for four runs in the first inning.
SUU fought back with Kassidy Munoz, capitalizing on Tawnie Mozeris‘ hit to put the T-Birds on the board, 1-4.
Strong defense and steady pitching from Winston helped contain Kansas, but the Jayhawks managed to add four more runs throughout the game, sealing an 8-1 win.
Southern Utah finished the tournament with a 1-3 record and is now 2-7 on the year
What’s next?
Southern Utah will compete in the Easton Bama Bash Invitational in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, starting on Friday, Feb. 21.
Author: Madisen Holland
Photographer: Treyson Andersen
Editor: Jack Paul
