The Seattle University softball was unable to come away with a victory on day one of the Husky Softball Classic. They opened up the two day tournament with a 2-0 loss to the University of Miami (Ohio) and closed out the day with the No. 1 University of Washington Huskies. SU, who has faced UW two times already in 2010, battled hard against the top-ranked team, but ultimately fell 5-1.
"We battled hard today and never gave up," said assistant coach Sean Praven, who took over head duties for head coach Dan Powers Saturday. "Our defense played well, we just need to get our offense going. We are very close and have improved tremendously."
Versus University of Miami • L 2-0
In their opening game of the Husky Softball Classic and a rematch from Wednesday's 10 inning heartbreaking loss, the Seattle University softball team could not garner enough offensive momentum to find a way to defeat the University of Miami (Ohio) Saturday afternoon. The Redhawks fell 2-0 to UM at Husky Softball Complex.
Miami took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first, behind an RBI single from Alicia Hogl. Starting pitcher Jessica Ulrich, who pitched in her third complete game, kept UM scoreless for the following four innings. On the day she tallied three strikeouts in six innings pitched. She allowed five hits in 22 batters faced.
Both squad's offenses were even keeled at five hits apiece, but it was the RedHawks of Miami who made two of theirs count. After holding onto the 1-0 advantage, they sealed their victory with a Meghan Mawn single to center field in the bottom of the sixth.
Versus No. 1 University of Washington • L 5-1
Versus the No. 1 Huskies, the Redhawks, who were the designated home team, took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Despite getting on the board early, SU could not hold onto their lead and fell 5-1.
In the first, Katie Antich led off the bottom of the first with a walk and two batters later Jessica Amador slammed a double to center field to establish a 1-0 SeattleU lead. It would be the only run the Redhawks would score on the day.
After keeping Washington scoreless for two straight innings the top-ranked team in the country's bats began to find some rhythm. With an out and a runner on first, UW's Ashley Tuiasosopo knocked a grounder to third baseman Allegra Wilde. The Redhawk freshman cleanly fielded the ball, but a hurried throw to second resulted in an error and both runners being safe. Washington evened the score behind a Bailey Stenson single up the middle and closed out the top of the third with a 3-1 lead.
Two innings later, the Huskies added two runs to take a 5-1 lead. The Redhawk offense added three of their five total hits during the following five innings, but were unable to put any offensive spurt together to get on the board.
Pitcher Kelsey Reynolds had a solid performance, holding Washington to only eight hits in seven innings. She also struck out two.
At the bottom of the seventh, with two outs, Caitlin Melynchenko came to the plate. After battling hard against the Husky pitcher Baily Harris, she hit and infield single to second base. The UW shortstop fielded the ball, but her throw was late, as the Redhawk freshman out ran the throw. Theresa Clark looked to keep the inning alive, but she popped out to second base to conclude the game.
The Redhawks will close out the tournament on Sunday, Mar. 14, with Portland State at 10:30 a.m. and face the Huskies for the fourth time in a weeks span at 1 p.m.