Competing at home for the first time in over a month was just what the Seattle University softball team needed, as they earned two big wins over PCSC foe, Utah Valley. The Redhawks won the first game, 2-0, and the second, 11-2, in five innings, thanks in part to a 3-run walk-off home run by Bubba Morrow (Auburn, Wash.). Seattle U scored nine runs over the two games before the Wolverines put a run of their own on the board.
Game 1 - Seattle U 2, Utah Valley 0
Seattle U added a run to the board in each of the fourth and fifth innings in an otherwise quiet game for both teams. Utah Valley looked to be threatening from the start, as Jessica Uresti tripled to start the game for the Wolverines, but solid Seattle U defense ensured this was the closest they came to scoring a run in the contest.
Erin Crowley (Kent, Wash.), as a pinch runner, and Sarah Petosa (Auburn, Wash.) scored the Redhawks' two runs in the first game.
"We had a great pitchers' duel in the first game," said head coach Dan Powers. "Jessica [Ulrich] was awesome today. We scratched out a couple of runs with timely hitting to get the win."
Jessica Ulrich (Lewiston, Idaho) earned the win for Seattle U, allowing only five hits and striking out three in seven innings pitched.
Tiffany Mills was handed the loss for Utah Valley, allowing two runs on three hits, while striking out four in six innings pitched.
Game 2 - Seattle U 11, Utah Valley 2
The Redhawks dominated offensively from the beginning of the game, adding four runs to the board in the bottom of the first and three more in the bottom of the third.
With Seattle U leading, 7-0, each team added a run in the fourth inning to make the score, 8-1, going into the fifth.
The Wolverines added another run in the top of the fifth, but with one out and two on base in the bottom of the fifth, Morrow hit a walk-off 3-run home run to end the game and give the Redhawks the 11-2 win in five innings.
"We came out with a better approach at the plate in the second game," Powers said. "Mandie [Sugita] kept their bats in check and our offense exploded for 11 runs. Bubba [Morrow] hit a towering shot to end the game. We need to come out with the same focus tomorrow to win the series."
Mandie Sugita (Rossmoor, Calif.) earned the win for Seattle U, allowing two runs on six hits, while striking out two in five innings pitched.
Cassie Herrera got the start in the circle and suffered the loss for Utah Valley, giving up seven runs on seven hits, while walking and striking out two in 2 2/3 innings pitched. Megan Peay entered in relief for the final 1 2/3 innings, allowing four runs on four hits, while walking three and striking out two.
Seattle U (13-20, 6-4) and Utah Valley (24-16-1, 5-5) finish the series on Sunday, Apr. 15, with a doubleheader starting at noon at the Federal Way National Little League Fields in Federal Way, Wash.