The Seattle University Redhawks participated in the 2021 NCAA regional softball tournament winning once and losing twice at the University of Washington (UW) this past weekend. Four teams were selected to play with only one moving on to the NCAA Super Regionals. The regional hosted at UW featured #20 University of Michigan Wolverines, Seattle U Redhawks and Portland State Vikings.

Seattle U came into the tournament hot off their second consecutive WAC tournament title. They played University of Michigan May 21 as their first tournament game. Michigan has one of the nations top pitchers, Meghan Beaubien who started the game for the Wolverines. The Redhawks selected WAC tournament MVP Carley Lance to start the tournament. 

Played on a sunny afternoon in Seattle, the Redhawks battled the Wolverines but went without a hit. Lance started off strong but gave up a run in the third inning after a wild pitch. Lance pitched well against a mighty Michigan team who crushed a home run in the late sixth inning making the score 2-0. On the other hand, Beaubien had herself a day by striking out 10 batters and pitching a no-hitter. The final score was 2-0 Michigan. 

The Redhawks still had a chance to move forward in the tournament May 22. They had to play Portland State who lost to UW the previous day. The winner would move on to face UW after they lost to Michigan. 

The Vikings came out strong to start Seattle U’s second tournament game. #11 Olivia Grey was on the mound vs #14 Stephanie Madrigal. Seattle U took the field in the first inning and the Viks quickly snatched up two runs after Seattle U’s three errors to take an early 2-0 lead. 

Seattle U fought back in the bottom of the first by quickly getting two players on base by walks. Bailey Thompson struck a grounder to third base who got the force out at third then underthrew the ball to first, allowing runners to advance. Ally Choate scored from first making the score 2-1 with one out and a woman on second. 

In the third inning, #21 Olivia Viggiano walked to first, then stole second on the next batter. Bailey Thompson hit a single to left field, the player bobbled the ball allowing Viggiano to round third and score. After three innings the score was tied 2-all. 

In the fifth inning, Portland State struck back on a single to right center field driving in a run. Entering the bottom of the fifth, the Redhawks needed to score. 

Alyson Matriotti reached second base after she hit a fly ball to left field where the fielder dropped the ball. Viggiano cracked a single where she reached second after a throw to home. With two women on and no outs, Ally Choate squeezed a single to left field driving in two runs and putting Seattle U up 4-3.  The Vikings walked the next two batters which brought upLance who hit a single sending in another run to extend the lead. With the bases loaded, Cherise Silvan hit a sacrifice fly ball to left field extending the lead to 6-3 Redhawks. 

The Vikings hit back with a two-run shot to left field in the top of the sixth making the score 6-5. However, that was not enough to beat the mighty Redhawks who won the game. 

Seattle U then had to play UW. Washington’s elite pitching silenced Seattle U,  retiring 13 straight batters. Their bats came to play as the game ended early after the fifth inning with Washington ending the Redhawks season 8-0. 

While Seattle U was unable to move past the NCAA Regional Tournament, the Redhawks can be proud of their performance, trusting that the future is bright after winning their second consecutive WAC Championship.