REDHAWKS HOME OPENER: Seattle University comes home after two weekends on the road to start the 2011-12 season. The Redhawks started the season at the Oceanic Time Warner Paradise Classic in Honolulu, Hawaii and had a weekend off before going to Moraga, Calif. for the PCSC Crossover Tournament, where they notched their first two wins of the season. Seattle U hosts the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds for a doubleheader in their home opener on Saturday, Mar. 3, starting at 1 p.m.
SCOUTING BRITISH COLUMBIA: The University of British Columbia (5-13-1) started out the season in the state of Washington with a doubleheader versus Saint Martin's on Feb. 4 before taking a trip to the Simpson University Softball Tournament in Redding, Calif. on Feb. 9-11. The following weekend, they headed to the 2012 Northwest Cup in Clackamas, Ore., where they went 3-3 over the weekend of Feb. 17-19. The Thunderbirds had last weekend off and returned to the Pacific Northwest this week before visiting Seattle U for their doubleheader. They faced Concordia University in Portland, Ore. on Thursday, Mar. 1, falling 1-2, and played a doubleheader versus Corban University in Salem, Ore. on Friday, Mar. 2. They split the games versus Corban University, winning the first, 3-2, and losing the second, 1-10.
SERIES HISTORY: The Redhawks hosted the Thunderbirds for three games last season, their only meeting since Seattle U returning to Division 1. On Saturday, Mar. 26, 2011, the Redhawks came away with a 5-4 win in nine innings. On Sunday, Mar. 27, the Redhawks split two games with the Thunderbirds, falling 5-4 in nine innings in the first contest, and winning 8-1 in the second contest of the day.
NEW AND IMPROVED: Seattle University's home softball field, Logan Field, will be under construction, beginning partway through the 2012 season. The team will begin their home schedule at the current Logan Field before moving to another location, TBD, for the rest of their 2012 home games. The new Logan Field is set to open for the beginning of the 2013 season.
RETURNERS TO WATCH FOR: Junior Allegra Wilde and senior Hannah Klein will serve as the team's two captains this season. Wilde was named All-Conference and Academic All-District VIII First-Team last season, starting all 46 games for the team, and leading the Redhawks in hits (49), doubles (12), RBIs (30), home runs (3, tied), and on-base percentage (38.6 percent). Klein started and played in 43 games in 2011, finishing second on the team in doubles (7) and RBIs (17). Sophomore Sarah Petosa is also expected to have another strong year. In 2011, she started 45 of 46 games and led the Redhawks in runs (30) and stolen bases (11), and finished second in hits (38) and on-base percentage (38.3 percent). She finished the year with a .286 batting average, but reached upwards of .300 during the season.
NEW FACES: The Redhawks add seven new freshmen to their roster for the 2012 season, many of which will see significant playing time to begin the season. Of note, Mandy Sugita has won the starting pitching spot to begin the season and Bubba Morrow will start at catcher. Other freshmen include Jenny Hurst, Erin Crowley, Ashley DeVaere, Kaydi Kochi, and Lisa Maulden. The team also added three transfer students, Becca Cable (Pierce CC), Rogin Hardy (Bellevue College), and Briar Stanley (Florida State).