SEATTLE U SOFTBALL HEADS SOUTH TO BATTLE FOR PCSC MOUNTAIN DIVISION LEAD: The Seattle University softball team had a big home weekend versus Utah Valley on Apr. 14-15, taking three of four games from the Wolverines, bringing the Redhawks to within one game of first place in the Mountain Division of the Pacific Coast Softball Conference. Seattle U is currently 7-5 in conference play and are one game behind Portland State and Weber State who are tied for the division lead (8-4 in PCSC play). The Redhawks head south to face Portland State in a key conference series in two days of doubleheaders, Apr. 21 and 22, starting at noon each day. Live stats and audio will be available for all four games on www.goseattleu.com.
SCOUTING PORTLAND STATE: Portland State is 18-20 overall and 8-4 in conference play going into this weekend's contests. The Vikings took three of four each from Utah Valley and Idaho State to open up conference play and split the Northern Colorado series on Apr. 14 and 15. They had mid-week games versus Colorado State (Apr. 16) and Oregon (DH, Apr. 18) and are now on a four-game losing streak going into the Seattle U series. After hosting the Redhawks, they will head to Corvallis, Ore. for a doubleheader versus Oregon State on Apr. 24, before returning home to host Weber State for their regular season finale on Apr. 28-29.
SERIES HISTORY: The Redhawks are 1-12 versus the Vikings since returning to Division I play in the 2008-09 season. This is the first time the teams will face this season, but they have competed each of the past three years as part of the Husky Softball Classic at the University of Washington as well as later in the season. Seattle U last beat Portland State on Mar. 14, 2010 at UW, 6-4.
ULRICH NAMED PCSC MOUNTAIN DIVISION PITCHER OF THE WEEK: Jessica Ulrich was named the PCSC Mountain Division Pitcher of the Week for her performance in the team's three victories over Utah Valley on Apr. 14-15. Ulrich earned two wins and recorded a 2.92 ERA (12.0 IP, 5 ER) in two starts. She notched her second complete game shutout of the season in the Redhawks' 2-0 win in the series opener on Apr. 14, allowing only five hits. In the series finale, she earned the win in the team's 7-6 victory, striking out three. On the season, Ulrich is 6-8 with a 4.43 ERA (79.0 IP, 50 ER).