Starting a season that will see the debut of a brand-new field, the Southern Utah University softball team is set for a slate of seven games this week. They’ll first head to Tucson, Arizona, before heading to Phoenix for the Grand Canyon University Invitational.
Southern Utah
The Thunderbirds finished last season with an 18-27 record, but showed improvement at the end of the year with a 13-11 conference standing. They lost 9-3 and 5-4 in both Western Athletic Conference Tournament games.
Despite the less-than-stellar record, it was the team’s second consecutive appearance in the conference tournament and marked a positive season for head coach Don Don Williams. Williams, who has led the team since 2019, recently inked an extension that will retain her through the 2028 season.
SUU’s core is relatively unchanged since last year. They’re still led by junior infielder Arianna Ramirez, who was recently named WAC Preseason Co-Player of the Year alongside pitcher Shelby Schultz of Tarleton State University.
Southern Utah’s other player named to the Preseason All-WAC team is Michaella Salvatierra. The sophomore outfielder started her career with a bang last season, leading the team in hits, runs and stolen bases.
Like most other SUU teams, softball will be leaving the WAC and joining the Big Sky after this season. To commemorate this, the team will be gaining a new all-turf field on March 1.
University of Arizona – Streamed live on ESPN+
Thursday, Feb. 5, at 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
The Wildcats look to be a formidable opponent. Center fielder Regan Shockey and catcher Sydney Stewart were both unanimous picks for the Preseason All-Big 12 team.
Both women are nationally relevant and lead a team that was picked to finish third in the conference by a coaches’ poll. Stewart, in particular, is one of the biggest power threats in the sport, earning All-American honors last season after leading the team in homers and RBI.
Santa Clara University:
Friday, Feb. 6, at 10:30 a.m.
The tough matchups will continue for SUU, with the Broncos picked to win their conference by the preseason coaches’ poll. Santa Clara won the West Coast Conference championship last year and had four all-conference first-team players.
SCU is anchored by utility player Cairah Curran. She was the WCC Player of the Year last season and won the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year award the year before.
Santa Clara broke a franchise record for wins in 2025 and made their first appearance in the NCAA Tournament. They’ll be a tough challenge for SUU and a test of the Thunderbirds’ resolve.
Grand Canyon University – Streamed live on ESPN+
Friday, Feb. 6, at 4 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 7, at 1:15 p.m.
Before departing for the Mountain West conference this season, the Antelopes won four straight WAC titles and made the NCAA Tournament all four years. They enter this season as the favorites to win the MW.
GCU has four players on the Preseason All-Conference team, headlined by Preseason MW Player of the Year Savannah Kirk. The second baseman had a .505 batting average last year and went 50-for-50 on stolen base attempts.
Grand Canyon was recognized nationally for pitching last year, thanks in no small part to Taryn Batterton. The senior righty had an 18-1 record and 2.14 ERA in 2025, throwing a no-hitter as well.
Weber State University:
Saturday, Feb. 7, at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 8, at 1 p.m.
The Wildcats were picked second in the preseason poll for the Big Sky and have five players on the preseason All-Conference team. In their first year under head coach Kristin Delahoussaye, they reached the NCAA Tournament and won the Big Sky championship, both for the fifth time.
WSU will compete for the Big Sky title this season and give SUU a taste of what to expect when they join the conference in July this year. The teams are long-time opponents, with the Thunderbirds holding a 12-22 record against the Wildcats all-time.
Author: Payson Davis
Photographer: SUU Athletics
Editor: Fanny Felixine
