Coach Dan Powers' Take: "Heading into the final week of the season we have a chance to win the PCSC Mountain Division if we can beat PSU head-to-head," said Powers. "It will be a tough challenge, but our team is peaking at the right time so I expect some great softball games this weekend."
"Offensively our entire lineup has been coming around putting runs on the scoreboard. Defensively we need to continue making all the routine plays without compounding errors in order to beat PSU. We are excited about the opportunity to be playing for the title heading into the last week of the season," he concluded.
Last Time Out: The Redhawks went 4-2 in their last six games, including a series victory over Northern Colorado in their final home weekend from May 1 to 2. Seattle U went 3-1 versus Northern Colorado, posting a 6-4 and a 5-1 victory on May 1. The following day, they could not carry the momentum from their sweep the day prior and fell 7-5. In the final game of the four game series, they bounced back to earn a 10-5 win to close out the home-half of the 2010 schedule. Freshman Jessica Ulrich earned a pair of wins on the mound and senior Megan MacIsaac went 6-for-15. She tallied six RBIs and a grand slam.
On May 3, they split their makeup series with Simon Fraser in Tsawwassen, B.C. They defeated SFU 5-2 in their opening game and struggled in game two, falling 10-4.
In the Hunt!: As their inaugural season in the Pacific Coast Softball Conference comes to a close, the Mountain Division second place Redhawks are looking to cap off the year on a top notch note. They currently are in contention for the division title, which will be determined this weekend in their series at Portland State. If Seattle U sweeps the Vikings this weekend they will be the sole winners of the inaugural Mountain Division title.
Due to NCAA reclassification rules, SU will not be able to compete for the conference championship because they are not eligible to compete in NCAA Tournaments.
Ulrich is Finding Her Rhythm on the Mound: Freshman Jessica Ulrich has been on a roll in the circle in her last five outings. She is riding a 4-1 streak on the mound and had won four consecutive games, prior to falling to Simon Fraser 10-4 on May 3. This past weekend she sported a pair of 7.0 inning victories versus Northern Colorado. On the year she has 17 appearances, 12 starts and seven complete games. In 71.2 innings pitched, she's thrown 36 strikeouts.
Antich Continues to Lead Offense Heading into Final Weekend: Senior Katie Antich has been the offense leader all season for the Redhawks. Heading into the final weekend of play the Spokane, Wash. native is hitting .356 behind 52 hits, 33 runs, seven RBIs, seven doubles and four triples. She has started in all 45 games played and is the 13th-top hitter in the PCSC this year.
Bombs Away: Second baseman Sandra Hernandez has been the team's long ball leader this season. After hitting a home run versus Northern Colorado this past weekend, the Redlands, Calif. native brought her season total to seven. On the year, she's tallied 29 hits, 29 RBIs, 18 runs and four doubles. Hernandez is tied for eighth in the PCSC with her seven homers.
Scouting Portland State: The Vikings of Portland State host their final home series after splitting their doubleheader with the University of Oregon. They are 25-25, 14-2 PCSC and are currently posted in first place in the Mountain Division. Brandi Scoggins leads the team's offense with a .366 batting average. In 50 games played and 49 starts, she's tallied 53 hits, 20 RBIs, 20 runs, 15 doubles, two triples and a home run. She is the only PSU player to be hitting over .300.
On the mound, Anna Bertrand is sporting a 1.79 ERA and a 13-9 overall record. In 27 appearances, she has started in 21 contests , tallied 11 complete games, three shutouts and two saves. In 139.1 innings pitched, she's posted 181 strikeouts and given up 99 hits.