Seattle University played their third of four games as part of the PCSC Crossover Tournament and fell to host St. Mary's College, 8-2. The Redhawks are still 2-1 through the first three games of the tournament.
Both teams were off to a slow start, neither putting runs on the board in the first inning, despite Seattle U stranding two on base, leaving Brianna Guerrero (Buena Park, Calif.) in scoring position at second base.
The Gaels (3-4) broke through and took the early lead, as a single to center field by Nicole Arce batted in Elizabeth Slaughter to put them up, 1-0.
St Mary's put another run on the board in the top of the fourth, as Megan Smith scored on a sac fly by Amelia McIntosh, putting the Gaels ahead, 2-0, going into the bottom of the fourth inning.
In the bottom of the fourth, with two outs, the Redhawks started taking advantage of their at-bats as Lisa Maulden (Maple Valley, Wash.) and Allegra Wilde (Kennewick, Wash.) both scored on a Becca Cable (Tacoma, Wash.) single to tie the game, 2-2.
In the top of the sixth, St. Mary's had an offensive surge that proved to be too much for the Redhawks to overcome, putting six runs on the board in their turn at bat. With one out and the bases loaded, Arce scored on a Kayla Gonzales walk and two more runs were scored as a result of wild pitches. Gonzales scored on a Rebecca Sabatini single and with two outs, Megan Smith singled to bat in Mandy Camuso and Sabatini.
A quick three outs for each team in the seventh inning ended the game and the Gaels came out ahead.
Jessica Ulrich (Lewiston, Idaho) got the start for the Redhawks, pitching 4 2/3 innings and only allowing two runs on six hits, while walking one and striking out three. Mandie Sugita (Rossmoor, Calif.) entered the game in relief, allowing the final six runs on four hits while striking out one, and Richelle Ashburn (Post Falls, Idaho) finished the game allowing only one hit and striking out one in 1 1/3 innings pitched.
Britany Linton started for the Gaels and pitched four innings, allowing the Redhawks' only two runs on five hits, while striking out only one batter. Kimberly Green came in for one inning, and Jessica Lemmon finished the game and got the win, allowing no hits and striking out one in the final two innings.
"We had our chances early in the game, but we didn't get a clutch hit," said head coach Dan Powers. "It was a tight game heading into the sixth, and we let things get away from us on defense, and our pitchers missed their spots."
The Redhawks (2-6) will play one more game versus Santa Clara to finish the tournament, taking on the Broncos on Sunday, Feb. 26, at 8:30 a.m.