Powers' Take: Heading down the homestretch with back-to-back trips to Utah, I am very excited about the way we are playing right now. Our pitching and defense has continued to improve throughout the season and our offense has been producing runs for the last month.
Utah Valley is completely different team from the one we played last season. Their offense leads our conference in almost every category so it will be a challenge for our pitchers to hold them down. If we can hit our spots consistently I like our chances.
We'll look for Katie Antich and Katie Petersen to set the table for Jessica Ulrich, Theresa Clark and Sandra Hernandez. The bottom half of our lineup has come to life with Megan MacIsaac and Allegra Wilde spraying the ball everywhere.
This will be a pivotal series that will have major implications on who will challenge Portland State for the PCSC division title.
Last Time Out: The Redhawks had their most successful weekend this season, as they swept Weber State on Apr. 16 and 17. The four consecutive victories also marked their longest win streak in 2010. In their opening game, Kate Zender hit the game-winner in their 10-8 victory. SU closed out the day with a sound 10-3, to conclude the day with a combined 20 runs and 35 hits. The Redhawks closed out the final day of the series strong, posting a 5-1 early game victory and a 6-2 win to close out the day.
Currently Seattle U, is tied for first in both the Mountain Division of the Pacific Coast Softball Conference and the entire conference with their 6-2 PCSC record.
Follow the Game: Free live stats will be available for all softball action on Friday and Saturday live from Utah Valley. Fans log onto www.GoSeattleU.com to follow the games and for the most up-to-date information about the Redhawk softball team.
Zender Gets Hot at the Plate: Junior catcher Kate Zender had a hot weekend at the plate for the Redhawks at Weber State tallying a hit in all four games. In a pitch hitting appearance in game one of the entire series on Apr. 16, she knocked in the game-winning run with her single to left field. The 5-10 veteran then took over starting catcher duties in the second game of the day. She was 2-for-4 with two RBIs, to bring her RBI total to three on the day.
The following day, she pitch hit in the sixth inning and hit her first triple of the season to left field. Zender closed out the weekend, taking over starting catching duties for the final game of the series. In the game, she had a hit to improve to a four-game hitting streak.
Bring Out the Brooms!: The Redhawks completed a four game sweep over Weber State on Apr. 16-17, in Ogden, Utah. It was SU's first road PCSC series since joining the conference in 2010. The weekend also marked the Redhawks most successful outing this year and as they hold a four game win streak heading back to the state of Utah to take on the Wolverines of Utah Valley. Over the weekend, Seattle U combined for 31 runs against WSU.
Currently, SU is tied for first place in the Mountain Division with their 6-2 conference record. Fellow divisional rival Portland State and Coastal Division member Loyola Marymount are also sporting a 6-2 PCSC record.
Rookie Notches First Victory: Freshman Jessica Ulrich earned her first win on the mound on Apr. 16, at Weber State. In seven complete innings pitched, she threw seven strikeouts, while scattering five hits. The Redhawks defeated the Wildcats 10-3 in the game.
On the year, Ulrich has been a powerful addition to the SU pitching rotation. She has pitched in 13 games, starting eight and throwing four complete games. In 47.0 innings pitched, she's tallied 28 strikeouts.
Scouting Utah Valley: Slated in third place in the Mountain Division of the PCSC, Utah Valley University hosts the Redhawks after dropping their last three non-conference competitions. The Wolverines are 19-22 overall, 5-3 PCSC. In their last conference competition on Apr. 16 and 17, they split their series with Portland State.
Leading Utah Valley at the plate is Meghan Woodworth. In 34 games played and 32 starts, she's hitting .409 in 93 at bats. She's tallied 38 hits, 38 runs, 16 RBIs, eight doubles, three home runs and one triple. Woodworth is currently second in PCSC in batting average. The Wolverines have five players hitting over .300.
In the circle, Kyli Flanary is 9-8 on the year. She holds a 3.50 ERA and in 22 appearances, has pitched in 10 complete games. In 98.0 innings pitched, she's thrown 43 strikeouts and allowed 113 hits. The Wolverines have utilized five pitchers in their rotation this season, with Flanary receiving the bulk of the work.