"Our pitching staff put together two quality games today," said head coach Dan Powers. "Jessica (Ulrich) had a great day, including a home run at the plate. Kelli (Denianew) got us out of a jam in extra innings and secured our first win."
Starting on the mound was sophomore Jessica Ulrich (Lewiston, Idaho) who not only saw her efforts in the circle pay dividends, but also at the plate. She pitched 7.0 innings, allowing only two runs in 33 batters faced. Offensively, she was 2-for-5 at the plate, behind her first home run of the season.
Ulrich showed poise on the rubber, as San Diego took off early with a 2-0 lead. The Toreros scored runs in the first two innings, but it did not stymie the Redhawk offense.
In the top of the third, Katie Gould (Medford, Ore.) led off the inning with a walk. Two outs later, Sarah Petosa (Auburn, Wash.) doubled to bring home Gould and get Seattle U on the board.
The following inning, SU evened the score with a one out solo home run from Ulrich. The sophomore pitcher's long ball provided the all-around lift the Redhawks needed to maintain their momentum for the remainder of the extra inning outing.
Kelli Demianew (Pendleton, Ore.) doubled to right center to lead off the sixth inning, but three consecutive strikeouts would prevent SU from taking the lead. Both sides were unable to get on the board in the seventh, sending the game into extra frames.
Demainew would take over pitching duties in the eighth inning.
It took the Redhawks until the top of the 10th to score again. Allegra Wilde (Kennewick, Wash.) was placed on second to open the inning and Demianew reached on a fielder's choice. A Torero fielding error advanced her to second and sent Wilde home to give the Redhawks the go-ahead run. Ulrich followed, advancing Demianew to third on her ground out. With two outs, Karina Smyth (San Luis Obispo, Calif.) singled to right center to bring home Demianew and score the game-winning run.
Demianew would score not only the winning run, but also earned her first career pitching victory.
San Diego would go on to score a run in the bottom of the 10th, but behind the Redhawks were able to get out of the inning and seal their first win of the season.
Despite strong pitching from Richelle Ashburn (Post Falls, Idaho) in game two of Sunday's doubleheader, the Redhawk offense did not provide the run support to sweep the Toreros. SU dropped a 2-0 decision to USD to split the season series.
Ashburn pitched 6.0 innings, scattering five hits and throwing a strikeout in 24 batters faced. She allowed only one earned run in her outing.
"Richelle had her best outing of the season, but took the loss in game two. The team got their first win of the season in solid fashion. We'll look to build on this momentum next week in Boise," concluded Powers.
After pitching three scoreless innings, San Diego's Jes Tieszen led off the inning with a home run to centerfield. Following Tieszen's solo homer, Ashburn quickly got out of the inning forcing the Toreros to hit a pop out, fly out and a ground out to conclude the inning.
The following inning, USD capped off their victory with an additional unearned run.
Seattle U will remain on the road, as they travel to Boise, Idaho for the Boise State Tournament. The Redhawks will play four games from March 5-6, and square off with Boise State and Southern Utah.