"I am very happy that we were able to come out and put together a pair of wins today," said head coach Dan Powers. "Richelle (Ashburn) gave us a lot of quality innings today in the circle, including earning the win in the early game."
"Theresa (Clark) had another great day, including a three-run home run in the early game. Allegra (Wilde) and Jessica (Amador) both had a clutch day at the plate, especially in the second game. Overall, our offense is coming around at the right time as we move into PCSC play."
The Redhawks opened the day by getting on the board early. In the bottom of the first, with an out and runners on the corners, Jessica Ulrich (Lewiston, Idaho) hit an RBI ground out to give SU a 1-0 lead.
After consecutive 1-2-3 innings from SU pitcher Richelle Ashburn (Post Falls, Idaho), the Wildcats evened the score in the top of the third. WSU had a runner on second when Erika James came to the plate. She singled to left field and advanced to second on the throw. During the play, Seattle U committed a throwing error allowing James to reach third and sent home Symbree Minniear.
Weber State took a one-run lead in the top of the sixth, after both sides put together back-to-back scoreless innings. WSU's James hit a one out single and managed to steal second. In the third spot, Shaila Rivers hit an RBI ground out to make it a 2-1 game in favor of the Wildcats.
Unwilling to concede defeat, the Redhawks battled back in the bottom of the sixth. Allegra Wilde (Kennewick, Wash.) led off with a single to center field and was advanced on an Ulrich walk. The runners would advance to load the bases on pinch hitter Natalie Leyland's (Richland, Wash.) at bat, where she reached on a Weber State fielding error. In the fourth spot, Theresa Clark (Lakewood, Colo.) came to the plate. During her at bat, relief pitcher Britinie Hardine threw a wild pitch sending in Ulrich and advancing the runners. With runners on second and third, Clark found a perfect pitch that she sailed over the left field fence to give the Redhawks a 5-2 lead.
In the top of the seventh, Weber State tacked on a final run, but Ashburn was able to get out of the inning and earn her third career victory. In the game, she threw a career-high seven strikeouts in 26 batters faced.
Game two saw strong offensive output for Seattle U and solid relief innings from Ashburn. After 1.5 scoreless innings, the Redhawks opened things up with a six-run second inning.
Leadoff batters Ulrich and Clark, respectively, were put quickly on second and third, behind a pair of walks and a Brianna Guerrero (Buena Park, Calif.) sacrifice bunt. With an out, Jessica Amador (Whittier, Calif.) hit an RBI single to the Wildcat pitcher. Amador would steal second to put runners on second and third. Katie Gould (Medford, Ore.) then hit an RBI single to load the bases and Karina Smyth (San Luis Obispo, Calif.) was walked to send home Seattle U's second run of the inning. The bases remained loaded for Sarah Petosa (Auburn, Wash.). During the freshman outfielder's at bat, WSU pitcher Kelsie Vallies threw a wild pitch to bring home Amador. Petosa would be walked and Leyland followed with an RBI single to second base. The Redhawks would wrap things up with Wilde's two RBI single down the left field line to make it a 6-0 game.
Weber State worked to cut down the Redhawks lead, scoring solo runs in the fourth through seventh innings. Starting pitcher Ulrich went 4.2 innings, allowing two runs and throwing a strikeout. She also earned her second win of the season.
Reliever Ashburn was able to come in and close things out in her 2.1 innings of work. She allowed two runs, but was able to get out of multiple jams, including coming in with two outs and the bases loaded in the fifth inning.
Ashburn concluded the day throwing eight strikeouts in 9.1 innings in the circle.
Offensively, Clark had another solid day at the plate for the Redhawks. She was 2-for-5, with a pair of runs, a walk and a three-run home run.
Wilde went 4-for-7, with a pair of runs, two RBIs and a stolen base, while Amador was 2-for-5, with two RBIs, a run, a walk and a stolen base.
The Redhawks (6-22 overall, 2-0 PCSC) will close out their four-game series with Weber State on Sunday, Apr. 10. Doubleheader action kicks off at 10 a.m.