Baseball
Seattle University Baseball kicked off a three game series against Santa Clara University May 9, their last home series of the season.
Despite picking up eight hits throughout the series opener, the Redhawks struggled to get a run on the board. Seattle U only tallied one run in the bottom of the eighth inning. The Broncos struck first, picking up runs in the top of the first and second innings, from there Santa Clara kept tallying on runs throughout the matchup. Seattle U attempted to scratch back in the eighth with Senior outfielder Jared Stevenson scoring on a sacrifice fly from Senior catcher and first-baseman Tyler Horner, but Santa Clara held the Redhawks to just that, defeating Seattle U 1-7.
Seattle U dropped game two of the series, 4-11 May 9 at Funko Field in Everett. In a similar fashion to the opener, the Broncos got out on top early once again in the first two innings, 0-2. It looked like the momentum was in favor of the Redhawks in the bottom of the fourth when Seattle U posted three runs. Junior infielder Royce Hale scored after an attempted double play on a ball hit to third-base from Freshman utility player Tyler Jackson, leading to a fielder’s choice. With Jackson on base, Junior infielder Brandon Stinnett sent a two-run home run over the right field fence, his third of the season. The Redhawks had the lead 3-2, but the Broncos offense outscored Seattle U 1-9.
The culmination of the series came May 10 back at home at Bannerwood Park, the team’s final home game of the season and Senior Day. Though the Broncos struck first in the top of the first inning, the Redhawks answered back with two runs of their own. Knowles led off the inning, getting on base via a walk. He advanced to third after Senior infielder Kenny Rhein almost left the yard, driving a ground rule double over the left field fence. Knowles scored on a groundout from Horner and Rhein came around to score on a single to center field from Redshirt Sophomore infielder Ryder Manale. The Redhawks finished the first inning up 2-1. The Broncos held Seattle U scoreless for the rest of the game, Santa Clara finished the series sweep, 2-4.
The Redhawks hit the road May 12 to take on Washington State University coming out on top in a high scoring victory 12-11.
Seattle U Baseball will finish up the regular season taking on Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash. May 14-16.
Softball
With a three-game WCC series against the University of San Diego May 7–9, the Seattle U Softball ended their regular season conference games. While playing in a number of close games, the Redhawks continued to have good contributions from players across the lineup.
San Diego got out on top early in the game, scoring seven runs in the bottom of the first. The Redhawks had a lot of work to do to chip away at the Toreros and they did that slowly throughout the game. Seattle U scored two runs in the top of the second inning with Senior infielder Brooklyn Jones driving a double to left center field, scoring Junior catcher Karen Spadafora and Sophomore outfielder Abbie Fales. The Redhawks picked up three more runs in the top of the fifth when a single from Graduate utility player Jay Ross that scored Freshman utility player Aurora Zapeda and Junior outfielder Sophia Kissling. In the same inning, Junior pitcher and designated player Avari Morris scored on an error by the Toreros shortstop hit by Senior infielder Taylor Fitch. The Redhawks were down two runs going into the top of the seventh. Morris scored on a groundout, putting the Redhawks just one run away from tying up the score, but San Diego was able to close out the game, securing the win for the Toreros 6-7.
Another attempt at a comeback was halted in game two of the series when the Redhawks fell to San Diego 7-8. Ross, Fitch and Sin all picked up two hits for the Redhawks, with all three of them also picking up two RBI. The Redhawks struck first in the game with Morris scoring on a double to left center from Sin. But, yet again, it only took San Diego one inning to secure the game with the Toreros scoring eight runs in the second inning. Seattle U put up runs in the third, fourth and fifth innings, but it wasn’t enough to come out on top over the Toreros.
The Toreros completed the sweep in the third game of the series. A double in the first inning gave San Diego two runs, and a triple and an RBI single later added a third. With just one hit early in the game, Seattle U’s offense was limited the whole game. The Redhawks briefly attacked in the middle inning with a walk from Spadafora. Sin and Ross each reached base at various times, but they were unable to score any runs. San Diego took home the series victory with a score of 3-0 in the culmination of the series, ending the season for the Redhawks.
