a tough, versatile left-hander giving SUU a steady edge in the circle
Riley Nielson is a redshirt junior pitcher for Southern Utah who returned healthy after a season-ending injury in 2024 and limited action in 2025, then settled into a pitch-only role in 2026. SUU describes her as a reliable, steady presence, and her profile backs that up: in 2026 she logged 25.2 innings with 15 strikeouts and a complete game, while also showing she can handle pressure in key conference spots. The bigger takeaway is competitiveness—she’s a proven winner with high-school championship pedigree and the kind of toughness and consistency coaches love.
