Seattle University baseball made a step in the right direction this past weekend, picking up their second series win of the season against UNLV.
Griffin Andreychuk rounds the bases after a home run.
The series started off on a bad note on Friday with a 4-3 loss. Starter Jake Prizina pitched well, but gave up four runs in seven innings of work to earn the loss. A bright spot in that game was four-year starting shortstop Griffin Andreychuk collecting his 200th career hit for the Redhawks. By the end of the series he would have 203 hits, putting him 11 hits away from holding the program record for career hits.
The team came back on Saturday ready to play, and fired on all cylinders. Janson Junk earned the win, striking out a season high eight batters.
“We were really patient at the plate to start the game,” Head Coach Donny Harrel said. “We did well those first three innings moving the guys around the bases. It was a clean game for us.”
Andreychuk had another three hits in this game, driving in three runs and scoring two of his own. He had been struggling to find his swing most of the season, but got on track during the series.
“Griff has been huge,” Harrel said. “He asked to be moved into the leadoff position and it has paid off for us. He wants to lead the team, and it helps to have the strength of a senior to lead us.”
Game two also featured another dominant performance for reliever Tyler Oldenberg. He pitched three scoreless innings, and has not allowed a run in his last eight innings pitched. He earned his first save of the season on Saturday.
Game three on Sunday featured the Redhawks shortest game of the season, with the 1-0 victory clocking in at one hour and 59 minutes. Senior Connor Moore picked up the win, pitching seven scoreless innings, striking out six batters, and scattering five hits.
“It’s his best performance in four years and the timing is perfect,” Harrel said. “We need to stay hot going into the last part of conference play. He wasn’t overthrowing and made some good adjustments.”
The Redhawks had plenty of opportunities early in the game, but baserunning errors limited their ability to put runs on the scoreboard.
“We need to be smarter,” Harrel said. “We weren’t doing what we were taught on the basepaths. We are aggressive but we need to let the game come to us sometimes.”
The Redhawks now find themselves a game and a half out of qualifying for a spot in the tournament. They are hoping this series win can kickstart an end of the season rally as they close out conference play.
The Redhawks return to Western Athletic Conference play on Friday, May 5 when they travel to play Grand Canyon University in a three-game series.
Willy may be reached at
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