Southern Utah University announced on Apr. 15 that its women’s softball team will host Abilene Christian University for a three-game Western Athletic Conference (WAC) series in Cedar City. The matchup will begin with a doubleheader on Friday, April 17, followed by the final game on Saturday, April 18. Live statistics and broadcasts will be available through the team’s official website and ESPN+.
The series comes as both teams look to improve their conference records. Southern Utah currently holds a season record of 16-23 overall and is 2-7 in WAC play, while Abilene Christian stands at 6-32 overall with a conference mark of 3-6. The Thunderbirds have performed better at home this year, going 3-2 in Cedar City.
Southern Utah’s pitching staff has been led by sophomore Hannah Duncan, who has pitched over 75 innings and recorded four complete games along with three saves this season. Freshman Avery Nielson leads the team in wins with five and has also posted three saves during her first collegiate campaign. Senior Delaney Baker contributed four wins and achieved a shutout against Maine earlier this year.
Offensively, junior Arianna Ramirez leads Southern Utah with a .355 batting average and has driven in 21 runs so far this season. Taralyn Ollison follows closely behind, hitting .321 with eight doubles and two triples. Freshman McKenzy Becerra leads the team in home runs with five while senior Alayah Toscano recently hit her first career home run.
Abilene Christian’s offense is powered by Ari Maxwell, who enters the series batting .345 with twelve home runs and twenty-six RBIs for the Wildcats. Elizabeth Schaefer adds consistency at the top of their lineup while Leah Meyer anchors their pitching staff with over sixty-eight innings pitched across twenty-two appearances.
