Continuing with their non-conference schedule in the month of February, the Southern Utah University women’s softball team will compete in the Easton Bama Bash starting on Friday, Feb. 21 and go through Sunday, Feb. 23.
Southern Utah will face Drake University, the University of Alabama and Virginia Tech University.
Southern Utah
The Thunderbirds have faced some tough competition to start the 2025 campaign. SUU is 2-7 on the year, going 1-3 in their last tournament. Despite the tough competition, Southern Utah’s pitching put on a clinic in the Long Beach Wilson Tournament.
Although SUU’s pitching has struggled to start the season, the T-Birds gave up just 13 runs over a four-game span, with Keimon Winston throwing a complete game shutout against Oregon State University on Feb. 15.
Offensively, the bats went cold in their most recent tournament. SUU had five runs over the four-game tournament. Despite the offensive struggle, sophomore infielder Arianna Ramirez has hit well to start the year. Ramirez leads the team with a .444 batting average.
Drake
The Bulldogs, a part of the Missouri Valley Conference, are 1-3 to start the season. Their lone win of the season was a 4-3 win over Loyola Chicago University on Feb. 9.
Junior outfielder Tatum Aragon helped Drake in their lone win, going 1/2 with two runs batted in. Aragon leads the team with six RBIs and is fourth on the team with a .375 batting average.
The pitching staff was up and down in their first tournament. Senior relief pitcher Paige Bedsworth leads the team with a 1.50 earned run average and has appeared in three of their four games.
Alabama
The Crimson Tide came into this tournament 6-5 on the season and was ranked No. 21 in the nation. Alabama has a pair of notable wins over No. 22 ranked University of Washington.
Freshman outfielder Audrey Vandagriff has made an immediate impact for Alabama. Vandagriff leads the team with a .516 batting average and a 1.256 on-base plus slugging percentage.
Starting pitcher Catelyn Riley is off to a strong start. The senior from Dandridge, Tennessee, leads the team with a 2.14 ERA and 32.2 innings pitched.
Virginia Tech
The Hokies are off to a strong start, with an 8-2 record. Their lone two losses are to No. 7 ranked Louisiana State University.
Senior Bre Peck is swinging the bat really well. Peck leads the team with four home runs and 16 RBIs. Freshman Jordan Lynch instantly has been a reliable batter for Virginia Tech. Lynch leads the team with six doubles and is third with a .419 batting average.
The pitching staff for Virginia Tech has been dominant as a whole. The Hokies as a team hold a 1.09 ERA, with Emma Lemley leading the way with a 0.88 ERA and 45 strikeouts.
Southern Utah is 0-2 all-time against Drake and 0-1 against Virginia Tech, and this will be the first-ever matchup against Alabama.
Author: Jack Paul
Photographer: SUU Athletics
Editor: Chevy Blackburn
