In their first game of the day, Seattle U faced UMKC (1-1) and the Kangaroos came away with the 1-0 win.
Offensively, the contest was relatively quiet for both teams, but the bottom of the fourth inning proved to be the deciding factor, as UMKC scored the game's deciding run. Senior Anna Sokolik began the inning with a single to second base, followed by a single up the middle by redshirt junior Chelsea Hartwig, on which Sokolik advanced to third. Redshirt senior Ashley Whiteside entered the game to pinch run for Hartwig. Emily Ott singled to left field, advancing Whiteside to second and scoring Sokolik. The Redhawks were then able to get three quick outs to end the inning, but the Kangaroos' lone run was too much to overcome.
The Redhawks came close to a score of their own in the top of the third inning, but left two runners in scoring position stranded to end the inning. Freshman Jenny Hurst (Laguna Niguel, Calif.) reached base on an error and junior Allegra Wilde (Kennewick, Wash.) doubled to left center, advancing Hurst to third.
Junior Jessica Ulrich (Lewiston, Idaho) got the start for the Redhawks, pitching six innings and allowing only four hits and one run, while striking out three. Ulrich stranded at least one UMKC runner on base through the first five innings, stranding two in the bottom of the fourth inning, keeping the Redhawks in the game.
UMKC starter, freshman Cinda Ramos, pitched seven innings, allowing only five hits, walking one, and striking out five. Ramos stranded at least one Redhawk runner on base in six of seven innings pitched, stranding two in the top of the third inning.
"Jessica threw a great game, but we weren't able to put our hits together," said head coach Dan Powers. "The team is playing well, but we need to get some timely hitting."
In their second game of the day, the Redhawks faced DePaul and the Blue Demons (2-0) came out strong from the beginning, topping Seattle U 7-0.
In the top of the first inning, leadoff batter senior Lynsey Ciezki singled up the middle. Sophomore Megan Coronado followed with another single, this time to center field, advancing Ciezki to second. Sophomore Kirsten Verdun followed suit, with a single to right field, on which she advanced to second on the throw. Coronado advanced to third and Ciezki scored on the play, putting the Blue Demons ahead to begin the game.
DePaul continued the scoring drive in the top of the second inning. Freshman Mary Connolly walked, advancing to second on a ground out in the next at bat. Back up at bat, Ciezki singled to right field, advancing to second on the throw and Connolly scored on a muffed throw by the catcher.
The Blue Demons put the game away in the top of the fourth inning as junior Samantha Dodd singled up the middle followed by another single up the middle by Connolly, advancing Dodd to second. Freshman Ali Lenti entered the game to pinch run for Connolly and both Lenti and Dodd advanced on a wild pitch (to second and third, respectively). Sophomore Allie Braden singled through the right side, scoring Lenti and Dodd to put two more runs on the board for the Blue Demons. Ciezki was then hit by pitch, advancing Braden to second. Coronado hit a home run to center field, also batting in Ciezki. Braden advanced to third and then scored on a single by Verdun up the middle.
Seattle U starter, freshman Mandie Sugita (Rossmoor, Calif.) got her second career collegiate start after starting in Thursday night's game against host-team Hawaii. She pitched three innings, giving up five runs and walking two. Sophomore Richelle Ashburn (Post Falls, Idaho) came in at relief for the rest of the contest. Ashburn was able to strand three Blue Demon runners on base to end DePaul's five-run bottom of the fourth inning.
Verdun got the start and the win for the Blue Demons, pitching seven scoreless innings, allowing only three hits, and striking out 11.
Powers said, "We didn't get the bats going and we let the game get away from us. We are learning every game and have to keep working on the little things to win."
The Redhawks (0-3) face the number-one seed in the tournament on Saturday, Feb. 11 in the second of two semifinal games at 3 p.m. PST. The losers of the two semifinal games will advance to the consolation game at 5 p.m. PST and the winners of the two semifinal games will advance to the championship game at 7 p.m. PST.