After letting the first game slip away with a 3-2 loss, the Seattle University softball team jumped on top early in the second game to salvage a split of Saturday’s doubleheader against future Pacific Coast Softball Conference rival Idaho State with an 8-3 victory at Rainey Park.
Both teams had their chances in the early innings of the first game. In the bottom of the first, Idaho State loaded the bases on a single, a fielder’s choice, and a fielding error. Seattle University starter Hannah Klein (Camarillo, Calif.) worked her way out of the jam with a strikeout and by starting a 1-2-3 double play that ended the inning. Lisa Hill (Tahuya, Wash.) walked and Lauren Berin (Lacey, Wash.) singled to begin the second inning, but SeattleU could not convert on its scoring chance.
In the third inning, Katie Petersen (Mission Viejo, Calif.) singled and stole second base. Jamie Foote (Lynnwood, Wash.) reached on an infield single, with a Bengal error allowing Petersen to score. After back-to-back walks for Hill and Berin, pinch hitter Arianne Judy (Selah, Wash.) drove in Foote with a single through the left side of the infield to give SeattleU a 2-0 lead.
Klein gave up a hit in each of the next three innings, but Idaho State did not score until the sixth inning, as a single, a fielding error, and a walk loaded the bases with nobody out. Jennifer Martensen singled to drive in the Bengals’ first run, and a misplay in the outfield allowed the other two runners to score to give the home team a 3-2 advantage. SeattleU put two runners on base in the seventh inning thanks to an error and a single, but a strikeout and a flyout ended the threat and the game.
Klein suffered the loss for Seattle University, allowing six hits and a walk while striking out two batters. Kandis Cleeson picked up the victory for Idaho State, giving up five hits and three walks and picking up six strikeouts along the way.
Determined to earn one win for the weekend, Seattle University took the early advantage, as Katie Antich (Spokane, Wash.) singled, advanced to third when a sacrifice attempt by Petersen was misplayed by Idaho State, and stole home. Petersen would score on a single by Hill, who would take advantage of the Bengals’ third error of the inning and score from second base on an infield fly.
Petersen would lead off the third inning with a single, followed by a double from Foote and a walk to Kate Zender (Enumclaw, Wash.) that loaded the bases. Jessica Amador (Whittier, Calif.) laced a single down the right field line that scored Petersen and Foote to increase the SeattleU lead to 5-0.
Idaho State (15-19) scored single runs in the fourth and fifth innings to cut the deficit to three at 5-2, but Seattle University put the game away in the seventh inning as two walks and a single loaded the bases with one out. Jodie Schmehr (El Cajon, Calif.) singled to right field, scoring Cassie Cueto (Benton City, Wash.), and Peggy Mathison (Seattle, Wash.) followed with a fielder’s choice that drove in Amador. The team’s final run would score on a wild pitch, with Idaho State scoring one run in the bottom of the seventh before grounding out to end the game.
Kelsey Reynolds (Kent, Wash.) picked up the victory for Seattle University, scattering 11 hits while walking one and striking out four batters. Cristin Martin took the loss after giving up two hits, a walk, and three runs in just 2/3rds of an inning. In the second game, Antich and Petersen combined to hit 6-for-8 at the top of the order with three runs scored and two stolen bases.
Seattle University (13-18) will host Lower Columbia Community College in an exhibition doubleheader Wednesday, April 15, beginning at 3 p.m. at Logan Field. The Redhawks will then welcome Simon Fraser to town for Senior Day next Sunday, April 19, in a doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m. at Logan Field.