The Southern Utah University women’s softball team is set to begin Western Athletic Conference play with a three-game home series against Tarleton State University. The Thunderbirds will take on the Texans on Friday, March 7, at 2 p.m. in St. George due to weather.
Following this game, there will be a doubleheader on Saturday, March 8, at 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. at Kathryn Berg Field in Cedar City.
Southern Utah is 5-15 on the season and is looking to turn things around after a tough non-conference schedule. The Thunderbirds enter the series on a two-game losing streak but have had their moments, including a 1-0 shutout victory over Oregon State University earlier this season.
Tarleton State is 13-8 on the year and comes into the series looking to start the WAC play off strong. The Texans secured a 5-4 win over McNeese State University earlier this season but have had varied results leading up to conference action.
What SUU needs to do to win
Set the tone early
The Thunderbirds can’t afford a slow start. Getting on the scoreboard early and keeping the energy alive throughout the game will be vital for SUU against a team who is looking to gain traction as they open WAC play such as Tarleton State.
Dominate the circle
Pitching will be crucial for SUU in this series. The Thunderbirds have had strong mound performances from pitchers such as Keimon Winston and Emily Delgado.
They have shown consistency and the ability to control the game. Keeping Tarleton State’s offense in check and avoiding big innings will be critical for SUU to succeed in this matchup.
Capitalize on scoring opportunities
SUU has struggled with consistent offense, averaging just 2.5 runs per game. To turn things around, they’ll need to avoid leaving runners in scoring position and take advantage of any defensive mistakes made by Tarleton State.
Some big hitters to look out for leading up to conference play are Michaella Salvatierra who is currently hitting .298, and Arianna Ramirez who has a .296 batting average so far this season.
As the Thunderbirds enter conference play, they are hungry to make an impact in the WAC. With the chance to start strong at home, expect SUU to bring energy and intensity to the field.
Games can be streamed on ESPN+.
Author: Keira Orton
Photographer: SUU Athletics
Editor: Jack Paul
