It was a tough day for the Seattle University softball team Saturday at the Loyola Marymount Invitational at Smith Field, as the Redhawks could not hold onto an early lead and eventually lost to the host Lions in extra innings, 5-4, before falling behind early and coming up short in a comeback attempt against Cal State Bakersfield in a 10-9 loss.
After Loyola Marymount scored a run in the bottom of the first inning, Seattle University answered in the top of the second, loading the bases before Cassie Cueto (Benton City, Wash.) notched an infield single to drive in Lauren Berin (Lacey, Wash.). In the third inning, SeattleU again loaded the bases, and freshman Jodie Schmehr (El Cajon, Calif.) cleared them with a three-run double to give the Redhawks a 4-1 lead.
The Lions started their comeback with two runs in the bottom of the third inning, then used a single, a sacrifice bunt, and an error to tie the game in the sixth inning. After SeattleU was unable to score in the top of the eighth inning, Kelly Sarginson drove in Katrina Bodewig to give Loyola Marymount the victory.
In SeattleU’s second game of the day, Cal State Bakersfield scored two runs each in the second and third innings to jump ahead 4-0. After a Megan MacIsaac (Santa Barbara, Calif.) single, Lisa Hill (Tahuya, Wash.) hit a home run to bring the Redhawks within two. However, the Roadrunners answered with three runs in the fourth inning and a run in the fifth frame to extend their advantage to 8-2.
Seattle University would not quit, as Hill, Berin, and Kaha Weir (Honolulu, Hawaii) drew consecutive walks to load the bases. Jamie Foote singled to drive in Hill, followed by back-to-back walks by Cueto and Katie Petersen (Mission Viejo, Calif.) to force in two more runs. An infield single by Katie Antich (Spokane, Wash.) brought SeattleU within two at 8-6, but a double play and a strikeout ended the rally.
Cal State Bakersfield scored two more times in the seventh inning, but the Redhawks again rallied in their final at-bat. Kate Zender (Enumclaw, Wash.) led the inning off with a home run, followed by back-to-back singles that put two runners on base. Hill laced a single to right field to score Schmehr and Petersen and bring SeattleU within one run, but a strikeout ended the rally and the game.
Seattle University (1-3) will conclude play in the Loyola Marymount Invitational Sunday, facing the host Lions beginning at 1 p.m. at Smith Field. SeattleU will play its first games in Seattle in two weeks as it takes part in the Husky Classic hosted by the University of Washington at Husky Softball Field.