Seattle U Softball Defeats Northern Colorado 6-1

A three-run Karina Smyth (San Luis Obispo, Calif.) home run sealed the Seattle University softball team's 6-1 victory over the University of Northern Colorado to open Sunday's doubleheader action in Greeley, Colo. A strong opening game offensive output was not enough, as the Redhawks split results to conclude the series. SU dropped a 10-0 five inning decision to close out the 2011 campaign.

In the opening game, the Bears broke onto the board first with a solo run in the top of the third; however the Redhawks were there to respond in the bottom half of the inning.

Sarah Petosa (Auburn, Wash.) led off with a single to center field. She then stole second and was advanced to third on Katie Gould's (Medford, Ore.) ground out. Petosa would even the score, as Jessica Amador (Whittier, Calif.) reached on a UNC throwing error. Allegra Wilde (Kennewick, Wash.) gave the Redhawks their first lead of the game, behind her RBI double to left field.

Seattle U sealed their victory in the fifth inning. With runners on the corners, Hannah Klein (Camarillo, Calif.) reached on a fielder's choice, advancing a run home. One batter later, Smyth came to the plate and sailed a three-run home run over the left field fence.

Pitcher Richelle Ashburn (Post Falls, Idaho) allowed only five hits in 26 batters faced. Ashburn also had a strikeout in 7.0 innings of work.

After a solid opening game, the Redhawk offensive momentum was stymied to conclude the series. UNC scored four runs in the first and added six in the fifth inning to earn the season series 3-1.

SU concludes the 2011 season with an 11-33 overall, 7-13 PCSC record.