A late rally by the Seattle University softball team in the second game of a Saturday twinbill was not enough to give the Redhawks their first victory of the season, as they fell to the University of New Mexico, 9-8. SeattleU also dropped a 6-1 decision to UNM in the opening game of the doubleheader.
"In the early game we came out flat and couldn't get our offense rolling," said head coach Dan Powers. "In game two, we battled back to take the lead in the seventh, but couldn't hold it. Jessica Amador had another good day at the plate and Caitlin Melnychenko had a clutch two-run home run for us. The team didn't give up and they battled hard today."
Game 1 • L 6-1
In the opening game of the four-game series, the Redhawks could not stymie the Lobos bats, as they fell 6-1. In the game, SeattleU was held to only three hits to UNM's eight. Katie Petersen led the team's offense with a hit and an RBI, for SU's lone run scored.
The Redhawks were held off the board heading into the bottom of the first, as the top of the lineup was unable to get on base. In the bottom half of the inning, New Mexico was able to take their first lead of the day, after opening the game with a strong defensive first inning. With a runner on first, Katie Gilmore hit a double to center field to break the Lobos onto the board early. SU's starting pitcher Jessica Ulrich was able to get out of the inning, only allowing the lone UNM run and left three on base.
SeattleU evened the score the following inning, beginning with a leadoff double to center field by Jessica Amador. With two outs and a runner on second, Petersen went to the plate. She singled to center to send home Amador to bring the score to 1-1.
After tying the game in the top of the second, SU was unable to produce any further offensive momentum. Their defensive efforts also broke down, as they allowed New Mexico to score five additional runs in the fourth through sixth innings.
Game 2 - L 9-8
New Mexico continued its offensive pace from the first game, scoring six runs in the first three innings of the second contest of the day. Seattle University started its comeback in the top of the fourth inning with a leadoff single from Megan MacIsaac. Amador reached on an error that scored MacIsaac, Jessica Ulrich followed with an infield single, and Theresa Clark drew a walk that loaded the bases. Sandra Hernandez drove in Amador and Ulrich with a single to center field, and Clark scored on a groundout to cut the Redhawk deficit to 6-4.
After the Lobos added a run in the bottom of the fifth inning, Caitlin Melnychenko launched a two-run home run in the sixth inning that brought SeattleU within one at 7-6. MacIsaac led off the seventh inning with a walk, and Amador followed with a single to right field. Ulrich tied the game at 7-7 with an RBI single to center field that scored MacIsaac, and pinch hitter Lauren Berin notched an infield single to score Amador and give the Redhawks the lead at 8-7.
New Mexico (2-0) pulled off the final comeback in the bottom of the seventh inning with two outs, as Jessica Lujan-Dresslar singled to right field and drove in pinch runner Shenise Cox to tie the game at 8-8. A SeattleU error and a hit batter loaded the bases, and Cristin Anderson ended the game with a single to right field that plated Lujan-Dresslar.
Hannah Klein came on in relief and allowed the Redhawks to compose the comeback, but she was saddled with the loss despite giving up only one earned run in 4 2/3 innings of work. Ulrich picked up two hits during the second game of the doubleheader, while veterans MacIsaac and Amador each scored twice in the nightcap.
Seattle University (0-7) will look to break into the win column with another doubleheader against New Mexico Sunday, Feb. 21, at 11 a.m. MST (10 a.m. PST).