The Seattle University softball team could not hold an early lead in the first game and could not complete a comeback in the second game, as Idaho State won both games of Friday’s doubleheader, 5-2 and 8-3, at Rainey Park.
Seattle University started the game by loading the bases with two walks and an infield single. Lisa Hill (Tahuya, Wash.) followed with a single through the right side that scored Katie Antich (Spokane, Wash.) and Katie Petersen (Mission Viejo, Calif.). However, Idaho State starting pitcher Kandis Clesson worked her way out of the jam with three straight strikeouts.
The score remained in SeattleU’s favor until the bottom of the fifth inning, as three singles allowed Idaho State to cut the lead in half. With two runners on, Jessica Baca hit a home run to right field to put the Bengals up, 4-2. An RBI single by Kaylie Neal-Jones in the sixth inning added an insurance run, and Clesson overcame two singles in the seventh inning to close out the victory.
Kelsey Reynolds (Kent, Wash.) started off by setting down nine of the first ten batters, but she gave up nine hits and two walks while striking out five Bengal hitters. Clesson scattered five hits and four walks while striking out eight Redhawk batters.
Idaho State (14-18) kept the momentum going in game two, scoring a single run in the first and three more runs in the third inning. In the top of the fourth inning, Jodie Schmehr (El Cajon, Calif.) doubled and scored on a pinch hit single by Kate Zender (Enumclaw, Wash.) to bring SeattleU within three runs.
After Idaho State scored again in the bottom of the fourth, Seattle University responded in the fifth, loading the bases thanks to two walks and a hit batter. Schmehr drove Jamie Foote (Lynnwood, Wash.) in with a ground out, and Peggy Mathison (Seattle, Wash.) followed with an infield single that scored Lauren Carlson (Richland, Wash.).
The Bengals extended the lead again in the bottom of the inning as Baca hit her second home run of the day, with another run to follow. The Redhawks had a chance in the sixth inning thanks to two singles and another hit batter that loaded the bases with one out, but a strikeout and a ground out ended the threat.
Cristin Martin earned the win in game two after pitching the first four innings, with Clesson picking up the save after completing the game by holding off SeattleU in the final three innings. Hannah Klein (Camarillo, Calif.) gave up 11 hits and eight runs, six of them earned, while striking out three batters in the loss.
Seattle University (12-17) will look to rebound as it continues the weekend series with another doubleheader against Idaho State Saturday morning beginning at 10 a.m. local time. The Redhawks will then host Lower Columbia College in an exhibition doubleheader Wednesday, April 15, beginning at 3 p.m. at Logan Field.