Seattle University softball faced host team Boise State (20-10) for a doubleheader on day one of the SpringHill Suites Invitational #2 and the Broncos took both contests, 9-0 and 8-3.
Game 1 - Boise State 9, Seattle U 0
In game one, Boise State dominated offensively from the beginning of the game, adding a run to the board in the bottom of the first and two more each in the second and third innings.
Leading 5-0 going into the bottom of the fourth, the Broncos added four more runs on two homers. With two outs, Holly Bourke hit a 3 RBI home run to right center to bring in Tazz Weatherly and Ashley Collier. In the next at-bat, Katie Engelbrecht hit a solo home run.
The Redhawks had one more chance in the top of the fifth, but a quick three-and-out ended the game and the Broncos came away with the 9-0 victory in five innings.
Richelle Ashburn (Post Falls, Idaho) got the start for the Redhawks, allowing five runs on six hits in two innings pitched, while walking four and striking out one. Mandie Sugita (Rossmoor, Calif.) entered in relief and allowed four runs on four hits in two innings pitched, while walking three and striking out one.
Aubray Zell got the start and the win for the Broncos and gave up just one hit and two walks, while striking out three, in four innings pitched. Kenzie Cole came in in relief and struck out two batters in one inning pitched.
Game 2 - Boise State 8, Seattle U 3
Game two started out much differently as two scoreless innings passed for both teams before the Redhawks got on the board first in the top of the third inning. Erin Crowley (Kent, Wash.) and Sarah Petosa (Auburn, Wash.) reached base on back-to-back singles and a sacrifice hit by Rogin Hardy (Kirkland, Wash.) advanced Crowley to third and Petosa to second. In the next at-bat, Bubba Morrow (Auburn, Wash.) singled, scoring Petosa and Crowley, to put the Redhawks up, 2-0.
The Broncos attempted to add a run to the board in the bottom of the third, but the Redhawks were able to strand Tara Glover on third base to end the inning.
Seattle U added to their score in the top of the fourth as Allegra Wilde (Kennewick, Wash.) hit a solo home run with one out to put the Redhawks ahead, 3-0.
Boise State came powering back in the bottom of the fourth, adding eight runs to the board on six hits, taking the 8-3 lead.
A relatively quiet final three innings for both teams, with only a single by Petosa in the top of the fifth and a double by Brianna Guerrero (Buena Park, Calif.) in the top of the seventh, ended the game and Boise State took the 8-3 win.
"We had a rough day at the plate today," said head coach Dan Powers. "We jumped out to an early lead, but couldn't hold them down."
Jessica Ulrich (Lewiston, Idaho) got the start for the Redhawks and pitched 3 2/3 innings, giving up eight runs, four of which were earned, on seven hits, while walking and striking out one batter. Ashburn came in in relief and allowed only one hit and struck out one batter in 2 1/3 innings pitched.
Lela Work got the start for Boise State, giving up two hits while striking out two in three innings pitched. Allie Crump entered in relief and got the win, giving up three runs on five hits in four innings pitched.
Seattle U (6-13) continues play as part of the SpringHill Suite Invitational #2 on Friday, Mar. 23 and Saturday, Mar. 24. On Friday, the Redhawks face the University of New Mexico at 11 a.m. and the University of Texas-San Antonio at 1 p.m. On Saturday, they again face New Mexico at 9 a.m. and UTSA at 11 a.m.