"We had our chances for a sweep, but were not able to execute in the first game and had too many missed opportunities," said head coach Dan Powers. "We were able to come back in the second game and take advantage of WSU's errors to score some runs. Both pitchers threw very well today, as well. We are beginning to put everything together and get some wins."
Game one of Sunday's action was a defensive battle, with Weber State, the designated home team Sunday, coming out on top. The Wildcats struck first in the bottom of the second behind a solo home run from Ashley Huddleston.
The Redhawks responded in the top of the third to even the score. Allegra Wilde (Kennewick, Wash.) hit a two out double to left field. She would be sent home off starting pitcher Jessica Ulrich's (Lewiston, Idaho) RBI single to center field.
In the bottom half of the inning, WSU retook the lead on a Lyndsey Minnich one out RBI double down the left field line.
For the second consecutive inning, Seattle U evened the score, 2-2. Hannah Klein (Camarillo, Calif.) led things off with a single to left field and was advanced on Theresa Clark's (Lakewood, Colo.) walk. With an out and runners on first and second, Brianna Guerrero (Buena Park, Calif.) singled to right field to load the bases. Katie Gould (Medford, Ore.) tied things up with her RBI single to second base.
After two scoreless innings, the Redhawks were unable to garner a final offensive push in the top of the seventh. In the bottom half of the inning, Erika James led off with a Wildcat single to second base. She was advanced on Brandi Christopher's one out infield single. Christopher then stole second and James was able to advance on a SU throwing error. With an out and runners on second and third, Minnich singled to center field to score the game-winning run.
In the game, SU's Ulrich had a strikeout in 6.1 innings of work in the circle.
In game two, Seattle U jumped out early and maintained their pace for the remained of the game. Sarah Petosa (Aubrun, Wash.) led things off by getting hit by a pitch. She would steal second and advanced on a wild pitch during Clark's at bat. Clark would also get hit by a pitch and steal second. During the play, the Weber State catcher Christopher committed a throwing error, sending Clark to third and Petosa home. With a pair of outs and a runner on third, Jessica Amador (Whittier, Calif.) came to the plate. She sailed the ball to the WSU center fielder James, who dropped it. Clark was able to score on the play to give SU a 2-0 lead.
The Redhawks added to their lead in the top of the third behind Klein's two out RBI double to left field, to hold a 3-0 advantage.
Klein would finish the day 3-for-6, with a pair of RBIs and a run.
In the bottom of the third Weber State broke up starting SU pitcher Richelle Ashburn's (Post Falls, Idaho) shutout with a solo run. The Wildcats got the bases loaded with an out when Christopher came to the plate. She reached on a fielder's choice, but WSU was able to score on the play as the Redhawk throw was not in time to home.
Weber State evened the game 3-3 in the bottom of the fourth off a Symbree Minniear two-run home run to left field.
Resilient, the Redhawks bounced back in the top of the fifth. Karina Smyth (San Luis Obispo, Calif.) led off with a single to right field. With a runner on first and an out, Wilde reached on a throwing error by the Wildcats. During Clark's following at bat, Wilde stole second and advanced to third on a WSU passed ball. During the play, Smyth was sent home, but was called out. Clark put runners on the corners with a pair of outs for Klein. Klein singled to left field, sending home Wilde to keep the inning alive. Amador added an insurance run with her RBI single to right field, giving SU a 5-3 lead that they would preserve.
WSU committed five errors in the series finale.
Ashburn successfully prevented the Wildcats from evening the score to conclude the game and earn her fourth win of the season. She pitched 7.0 innings, throwing three strikeouts in 31 batters faced.
Seattle U will remain at home for their next PCSC series versus Utah Valley. SU will host UVU in a four-game series from Saturday, Apr. 16 to Sunday, Apr. 17. First pitch is set for 12 noon on Saturday and 11 a.m. on Sunday.