On a blistery day, the Seattle University softball team defeated Simon Fraser University 7-1 in six innings and ended with a scoreless tie with the University of South Dakota. The Redhawks undefeated day was headlined by both Katie Antich and Theresa Clark, who both tallied four hits on the day. SU improves to 4-22-1 on the year.
In SeattleU's six inning victory over the Clan of Simon Fraser, the Redhawks established an early lead and strong defense prevented SFU from breaking onto the board until the sixth inning. In the bottom of the first, Clark's single to left field brought home Antich to give SU a 1-0 lead heading into the second inning.
Going into the bottom of the second, SeattleU was able to hold onto their one run lead. With one out, Katie Petersen singled to shortstop. Two batters later, Antich singled to center field to advance Peterson. Katie Gould then came to the plate with two runners on and two outs. She singled down the right field line to send home Peterson and send Antich to third. Antich added a second run during Jessica Ulrich's at bat, when Simon Fraser's pitcher Myriam Poirier threw a wild pitch.
Pitcher Kelsey Reynolds and the Redhawk defense quickly got out of the next inning by getting out the three Clan batters. The offense then went back to work and made it a 4-0 game behind Hannah Klein's RBI single to center field. SeattleU was unable to extend their lead further to send the game into the fourth.The SFU offense was unable to do more than a lone hit in the top half of the inning, while the SU offense remained productive in the bottom of the fourth. Antich led off the inning with a walk, which she was quickly advanced to second following Rose Harrington's at bat. Harrington, who came in the game for Gould, was hit by a pitch to put runners at first and second. Ulrich sent Antich home with her RBI single to centerfield. Clark followed, reaching on a fielder's choice that advanced Harrington to third. With one out, Megan MacIssac came to the plate. During her at bat Clark stole second and she reached on a catcher's interference. Freshman Caitlin Melnychenko added to the Redhawk lead with her two RBI single to center field to bring home Harrington and Clark. Klein concluded the inning with a ground out that resulted in a double play.
Following a scoreless fifth inning, Simon Fraser broke onto the board in the top of the sixth. Leah Riske doubled to left field to score SFU's lone run in the game. After giving up the run, SU got of the inning by getting out the following two batters. Two batters into the bottom half of the inning, the game was called due to an onset of a torrential downpour.
In their early game versus South Dakota, the Redhawk defense played spectacularly behind starting pitcher Klein. In seven innings pitched, she threw three strikeouts in 26 batters faced. Despite strong defensive efforts, the SU offense was unable to pick up momentum.
SeattleU did tally five hits, including a pair from Clark, but it was not enough for them to get on the board. Both squads' defenses played well, as USD and SU's respective offenses could not get a run on the board.
Following seven scoreless innings, the game was called a 0-0 tie.
On the day, Antich had four hits and three runs to maintain her stance as the Redhawks top offensive threat. Freshman Clark also had four hits, and added two runs and an RBI. Senior outfielder Peterson tallied three hits and a run over the 13 innings played.
On the mound, Klein and Reynolds both had great outings. Reynolds, who earned her third win of the season, threw two strikeouts in six innings pitched.
The Redhawks remain at home to host a four game home stand and their Pacific Coast Softball Conference season opener versus Idaho State. SeattleU and ISU will play doubleheaders on Saturday, Apr. 10, and Sunday, Apr. 11. First pitch is slated for noon and 10:30 a.m., respectively.