"Both Richelle (Ashburn) and Jessica (Ulrich) threw well enough to win, but we couldn't bunch our hits together," said head coach Dan Powers. "We also gave away too many at bats with runners on today. Tomorrow we will try to go out and split the weekend to end the season on a positive note."
Despite outhitting the Bears 9-5, the Redhawks were outlasted in the early game of Saturday's doubleheader. Northern Colorado jumped out early with a pair of runs in the bottom of the second, forcing Seattle U to play catch up.
In the top of the fourth, SU cut UNC's lead in half. Brianna Guerrero (Buena Park, Calif.) reached on a leadoff double to left center. She was advanced to third during Karina Smyth's (San Luis Obispo, Calif.) at bat, where she reached on a passed ball. With runners on second and third, Jessica Amador (Whittier, Calif.) hit a one out RBI sacrifice fly to bring home Guerrero.
The Bears would add to their lead in the fifth off a Kailee Vessey RBI single to right center.
Seattle U worked to garner a final offensive push in the top of the seventh. With a pair of outs and a runner on first, Katie Gould (Medford, Ore.) singled to center field. Allegra Wilde (Kennewick, Wash.), who went 2-for-4 in the game, made it a one-run contest with her RBI singled up the middle, but SU was unable to keep the inning alive and even the score.
Starting pitcher Richelle Ashburn (Post Falls, Idaho) had a solid outing in the circle, scattering five hits in 25 batters faced. She also only allowed one earned run in six innings of work.
Northern Colorado maintained their offensive stride in game two of Saturday's action. They tacked on two early runs in the bottom of the first, taking advantage of a Redhawk throwing error to score both runs.
Seattle U pitcher Jessica Ulrich (Lewiston, Idaho), like her counterpart Ashburn, put together a solid effort in six innings of work. While allowing eight hits in 27 batters faced, she had only one earned run against her.
Despite Ulrich throwing four scoreless innings, SU was unable to take advantage and break up the shutout. In the bottom of the sixth, the Bears added a final run to close out action.
The Redhawks (10-34 overall, 6-11 PCSC) will conclude the year tomorrow, Sunday, May 8, in a season finale doubleheader.