Fans packed the stands on a chilly Seattle night at Logan Field for the first time in 2025. The “RED, HAWKS” chants could be heard all the way from the Cherry Street dining hall on campus, as Seattle University softball prepared for a double-header against their conference opponents, Abilene Christian University (ACU) for their 2025 home opener.  

The Redhawks returned home after being on the road since their season began March 7. During their month on the road, the team picked up a record of 11-9 and were named within the top 25 for mid-major Division I softball programs. The team also had three players earn pitcher and player of the week recognition, with Taylor Fitch being named Player of the Week, along with Nicola Simpson and Avari Morris both earning Pitcher of the Week recognition.  

“It feels so good, it’s great. Honestly being at the home field is just amazing and being with the girls is really nice as well,” Sophomore outfielder Sophia Kissling commented on being back home.  

Simpson started in the circle for the Redhawks and pitched two shutout innings before allowing a run in the third, the only run she would allow the entire game. Seattle U was off to a slow offensive start, this was until Morris smoked a line drive to right field, scoring Freshman outfielder Zoe Hopkins from second base, tying the score 1-1. Hopkins entered the game to pinch run for Graduate Student infielder Jasmine Wehn. 

The score remained tied until the bottom of the sixth inning. Wehn led off the inning with a single to left center and was then advanced to second by Simpson. Wehn eventually came around to score after a long double hit by the Sophomore catcher Karen Spadafora bringing the score to 2-1. 

This wasn’t the only score for the sixth inning for the Redhawks. Morris continued her solid offensive performance, picking up her second RBI of the day, bringing the score to 3-1 after scoring Freshman outfielder Camryn Johnson who came in as a pinch runner for Spadafora. Simpson would go on to finish the game allowing just one run on three hits, securing the win for the Redhawks, 3-1.  

“I think it’s exciting… we came up with a team win and that was really exciting,” Simpson said about her start and the team’s performance.  

In the second game, Morris took over in the circle. The score remained tied at 0-0 until the bottom of the third inning when the Redhawks put up five runs. Kissling started the inning off with a lead-off triple, igniting the offensive flame for Seattle U. Kissling was then brought home by Senior outfielder Tai Wilson with a single to the right side of the field. 

With Seattle U now in the lead, Fitch stepped into the box and blasted a two-run home run, her sixth of the season, extending the Redhawks lead to 3-0. But they weren’t done yet, as Wehn smoked a double to dead center which was followed by Simpson getting on base via a walk. With two ducks in the pond for the home squad, Spadafora dug into the batter’s box and roped a double down the left field line, scoring both Wehn and Simpson, bringing the lead to 5-0.  

Despite a dominant lead over the Wildcats, the Seattle U squad did not let up. The bottom of the fifth started off hot, with Simpson getting on base with a single down the left field line, then advancing to second on an errant throw. Morris came up to the plate looking to continue her stellar offensive performance in the first game of the day. The left-hander dug in and smashed a triple to center field, scoring Senior infielder KJ Hopfer who came in to pinch run for Simpson, extending the lead by one. 

Johnson would come in to pinch-run for Morris, and would eventually come around to score after an RBI single by freshman outfielder, Abbie Fales, giving Seattle U a 7-0 lead. Morris pitched an absolute gem, going all seven innings, not allowing a hit through 6.1 innings. The left-hander finished the day throwing seven shutout innings, allowing one hit and striking out four, securing the second win of the day for the Redhawks.  

“I feel really good about my performance, you know, still stuff to fine-tune, but it just feels good to not have maybe my best stuff and still be able to help out the team in that way,” Morris commented on her performance in the circle.  

The Redhawks would go on to win the third game of the series versus ACU March 8, completing a series sweep for their first conference games of the season. This Seattle U squad is loaded with talent from top to bottom and they’ll definitely be a team you want to keep an eye on this season.