The Southern Utah University softball team competed in the Fresno State Invitational starting on Friday, Feb. 28. Southern Utah went 2-3 over the three-day tournament, competing against the University of California, California State University, Bakersfield, and Fresno State University.
Game one
The Thunderbirds had early opportunities but struggled to score, leaving multiple players on base.
California took control early in the first inning with an RBI triple and extended their lead with a solo home run in the second inning.
In the fifth inning, Cal blasted a two-run homer followed by a base-clearing double to cap off a five-run inning. Cal ended the game 8-0 in their favor.
Game two
SUU won a defensive battle against CSU in game two. Both teams stranded players on base early in the game.
The Thunderbirds finally scored in the bottom of the fifth inning when Ariyana Miranda hit a double to left field, bringing Laurie Cooke home, after great base running by her.
Keimon Winston controlled the game from the beginning on the pitcher’s mound. At the top of the seventh Delgado replaced Winston to finish the defensive battle, finishing the game in the Thunderbird’s favor 1-0.
Game three
SUU wasted time getting on the scoreboard. Cooke was the first one to make it on base for the Thunderbirds. Miranda went up to bat and advanced Cooke to third, and then Kassidy Munoz brought Cooke home for the first run of the game.
In the second inning, Ramirez wanted to get in on the scoring action. She hit a double and scored on an RBI single from Alayah Toscano, making it 2-0.
In the fifth inning, a two-run double from Munoz and an RBI single by Amyah Boostedt pushed the lead to 5-0. SUU continued to apply pressure loading the bases before CSU got 3 outs.
The sixth inning is where SUU utilized errors and aggressive baserunning. Cooke and Miranda got on base before Munoz hit a ground ball forcing a defensive error allowing two runs to be scored. A fly ball by Ramirez and an RBI from Toscano brought the score to 9-0. A fielder’s choice from Taralyn Ollison brought in the final run sealing the victory for the Thunderbirds, 10-0.
Defensively Southern Utah’s pitching and fielding were dominating the game. The Roadrunners had chances but the Thunderbirds turned two double plays, kept them from scoring.
Game four
SUU started strong defensively, holding Fresno scoreless through two innings with good infield play and great pitching by Winston.
The Thunderbird lineup consistently put runners on base because of walks, keeping the pressure on Fresno’s defense.
Despite a two-run homer in the third inning and the fifth inning having three runs from the Bulldogs, SUU continued to keep pressure.
Southern Utah failed to score offensively and Fresno won 5-0.
Game five
Southern Utah had the chance for redemption against the University of California. They started strong, putting pressure on the defense. Miranda, Munoz, and Ramirez all got on base for bases loaded. Despite the positioning, Cal’s defense held firm, preventing SUU from scoring.
The Golden Bears hit a solo home run in the bottom of the first inning and added two more runs in the second.
SUU continued to battle at the plate with Belle Freund walking and Michaella Salvatierra hitting a single in the fifth to keep the pressure. Munoz also drew a walk in the sixth, however no one scored. Cal was able to extend their lead setting the score 6-0 in their favor.
Southern Utah finished the tournament 2-3.
What’s next?
Southern Utah will host Tarleton State University, starting on Friday, Mar. 7, at 1 p.m. This will be the season opener and the first games played in the Western Athletic Conference for SUU. All games will be live-streamed on ESPN+.
Author: Madisen Holland
Photographer: Treyson Andersen
Editor: Jack Paul
