NOTE: There have been some schedule changes for this weekend due to the weather forecast. As of Thursday, March 29, at 3:30 p.m., the plan is to play two games Friday beginning at 4 p.m. at Bannerwood Stadium, with the third game scheduled for Saturday at 1 p.m. Sunday will remain open as an "if necessary" day in order to complete the three-game series. Stay tuned to GoSeattleU.com for further updates.
BACK IN FAMILIAR TERRITORY: For the first time in 23 days, Seattle University is scheduled to play a home game, as Northern Colorado comes to town for a three-game series this weekend. Seattle U has already faced one team from the Great West Conference this season, taking two of three from Utah Valley to open the 2012 campaign. The styles of the two teams could not be more different, as Seattle U likes to play small ball and keep the score low, while Northern Colorado boasts one of the best offenses in the country, but also gives up a lot of runs.
PROBABLE STARTERS
Friday, March 30 (Game 1): LHP Nate Steinmetz (1-3, 8.84 ERA) vs. RHP Bryan Dalton (1-1, 3.76 ERA)
Friday, March 30 (Game 2): RHP Chris Hammer (2-0, 11.57 ERA) vs. RHP Brandon Kizer (3-1, 2.75 ERA)
Saturday, March 31: RHP Jess Amedee (1-1, 6.38 ERA) vs. RHP Seafth Howe (2-2, 3.27 ERA)
THE SAN JOSE STATE SERIES: Seattle University achieved another milestone over the past weekend, winning a road series for the first time since the reestablishment of the baseball program by taking two of three games from the San Jose State Spartans at Municipal Stadium. In the first game of Friday's doubleheader, Seattle U jumped all over Spartan starter Sean Martin, scoring five runs in the first inning. The Redhawks added a single run in the second inning and three more runs in the fifth inning on their way to a 9-4 victory. Six different Seattle U players earned two hits apiece, with Grant Newton driving in three runs during the game. Brandon Kizer earned his third victory of the season, allowing just two hits, three walks, and two earned runs in seven innings of work. Seattle U took the early lead in game two of the doubleheader, scoring one run in the top of the first inning. However, San Jose State answered with its own run in the bottom of the first to tie the game at 1-1. The game remained tied until the bottom of the seventh inning, when the Spartans scored the game-winning run and held off the Redhawks for a 2-1 victory. Trent Oleszczuk and Nick Latta each picked up two hits to lead the Redhawk offense. Grant Gunning took the loss despite allowing only two hits, four walks, and two runs in 6 1/3 innings. Saturday, San Jose State scored once in the bottom of the first, but Seattle U scored three runs in the fourth and one in the sixth for a 4-1 lead. Bryan Dalton cruised into the seventh inning, but gave up three runs as the Spartans tied the game, 4-4. Newton hit a two-run double in the eighth inning, and Garrett Anderson held the lead as Seattle U won, 6-4. Sunday's game was cancelled due to unplayable field conditions, clinching the series win for the Redhawks.
SCOUTING NORTHERN COLORADO: The Bears come into the weekend series with an 8-11 overall record after splitting a four-game series with South Dakota State last weekend. Northern Colorado is a member of the Great West Conference in baseball. As a team, the Bears have compiled a .324 batting average, a .945 fielding percentage, and an 8.14 earned run average. Adam Hilker leads the team and is fifth in the country with a .464 batting average, plus he is sixth in Division I in on-base percentage at .548, helped by a team-high 12 walks. Adrian Schenk is batting .431, plus he leads the team with four triples, 17 runs batted in, and a .646 slugging percentage. Tony Crudo is batting .383 with two home runs and 13 RBI so far this season. On the mound, Joe Willman has made six starts this season for the Bears, posting a 2-3 record with a 7.57 earned run average. Jess Amedee is 1-1 with two saves and has struck out 15 batters in 18 1/3 innings of work. These will be the first meetings all-time between Seattle U and Northern Colorado.
DID YOU KNOW?: The Northern Colorado series begins a 39-day stretch in which Seattle U will not use an airplane to reach any of its baseball games. After the series against the Bears, the Redhawks will bus to Pullman, Wash., for an Easter weekend series against Washington State. Seattle U will then host BYU, British Columbia, Concordia, Washington State, Santa Clara, and Nevada, with the only road game during that stretch coming at Washington April 17. In fact, the only flights the rest of the season will take place during the team's trip to Central Michigan and Ohio State May 9-13.
TO THE NORTH: Tickets are now on sale for the collegiate baseball game April 23 between Seattle University and Washington State at Everett Memorial Stadium, the home of the Everett AquaSox. General admission tickets cost $7 for adults, $5 for youth under 17 years of age, and $5 per ticket for groups of 15 or more. Seattle U students will receive free admission with a vaild student ID. Tickets are now available through the AquaSox office by calling 425-258-3673 or by going online to this website: http://ea1.glitnirticketing.com/eaticket/web/stadiumg.php?status_id=2&event_id=213.
TO THE SOUTH: The Seattle U baseball team will also head back to Cheney Stadium, the home of the Tacoma Rainiers, for a game against the BYU Cougars Friday, April 12, at 6 p.m. The Redhawks hosted the Oregon Ducks last season in Tacoma and welcome the chance to head back to the historic stadium to face the Cougars. Tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster or by contacting the Seattle U Athletic Ticket Office at (206) 398-GOSU (4678).