Redhawks Fall to Hawaii, 6-2, to Begin 2012 Season

Several newcomers got their first collegiate start for the Seattle University softball team as it began the 2012 season versus Hawaii as part of the Oceanic Time Warner Cable Paradise Classic in Honolulu, Hawaii.  The Rainbow Wahine started out strong, hitting two home runs early in the game, and kept swinging to top the Redhawks, 6-2.

Six freshmen received their first collegiate start for the Redhawks - Jenny Hurst (Laguna Niguel, Calif.) at second base, Bubba Morrow (Auburn, Wash.) at catcher, Ashley DeVaere (Riverside, Calif.) at third base, Erin Crowley (Kent, Wash.) in left field, Lisa Maulden (Maple Valley, Wash.) at first base, and Mandie Sugita (Rossmoor, Calif.) at pitcher. 

Hawaii (1-0) started out strong from the start as the leadoff batter, junior Kelly Majam, homered to right field to begin the game.  Senior Dara Pagaduan added to their lead, hitting the team's second home run, this time to left field, in the bottom of the second.  The Redhawks were able to hold off additional scoring until freshman Kayla Wartner hit a bases-loaded double to left field in the bottom of the sixth, batting in Pagaduan and junior Brynne Buchanan.  Later in the inning, senior Alex Aguirre singled up the middle, advancing to second on the throw, and bringing in Wartner and Majam.

In the top of the seventh, DeVaere hit a home run to left center for the Redhawks, batting in Morrow, who reached base with a double down the left field line.  Morrow and Hurst recorded two hits apiece and Morrow added a run for Seattle U.

Seattle U starter Sugita pitched the first five innings in her first collegiate start, allowing six hits and four runs, walking four and striking out two.  Sugita induced an inning-ending flyout with the bases loaded in the bottom of the fourth, stranding three Hawaii runners to keep the Redhawks in the game.  She stranded two or more on base in three of her five innings pitched.  Junior Jessica Ulrich (Lewiston, Idaho) entered in relief in the bottom of the sixth, pitching one inning and striking out one batter.

Hawaii starter Stephanie Ricketts notched the win, allowing six hits and two runs, walking zero batters, and striking out nine.  She pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings before allowing the Redhawks to score their only two runs of the game.

Seattle U (0-1) will continue tournament play with two games Friday, Feb. 10.  The Redhawks will face UMKC at 3:00 p.m. and DePaul at 5:30 p.m. Pacific time.