“Today was a big day for our entire team,” said head coach Dan Powers. “We had everyone contribute offensively with quality at bats and our pitchers kept us in the games. We had a great comeback vs. Utah tonight. Our freshmen, Brittney (Lott) and Isabella (Geronimo) were clutch in pressure situations.”
Game 1: Seattle U 6, Southern Utah 4
In game one on the day, neither team was able to score in the first inning, but Seattle U added four runs in the bottom of the second to take the early 4-0 lead. Sarah Petosa (Federal Way, Wash.) hit a 2 RBI double in the inning.
The Redhawks added to their score in the bottom of the third, as Bubba Morrow (Auburn, Wash.) scored on a Lisa Maulden (Maple Valley, Wash.) single to right field.
Petosa later scored in the bottom of the fourth on a Jenny Hurst (Laguna Niguel, Calif.) to center field, to give SU the 6-0 lead through four innings.
Southern Utah fought back in the top of the fifth, but only one of their four runs was earned. Kylee Wolf hit an RBI double, and later scored an unearned run as Katie Olinger reached base on an error. Kelsey Bryant hit a 2RBI homer to left field with two outs to bring in Olinger.
Neither team was able to add to the score in the final two innings, and the Redhawks came away with their first win of the day, 6-4.
Petosa and Isabella Geronimo each recorded two hits each for Seattle U, as Petosa also had two RBIs. SU outhit SUU, 8-6.
In the circle, Richelle Ashburn (Post Falls, Idaho) allowed all four runs in the win, only one of which was earned, on four hits, while walking four and striking out four in 4 2/3 innings pitched. Jessica Ulrich (Lewiston, Idaho) entered in relief and allowed two hits, walking one and striking out three, in 2 1/3 innings pitched.
For Southern Utah (0-4), Ariel Zimmerman allowed all six runs, five of which were earned, on eight hits, while walking three and striking out seven in 5 2/3 innings pitched. Ashley Ostler entered for the final 1/3 inning, facing one batter.
Game 2: Seattle U 6, Utah 3
Looking to build on their momentum from the first win of the day, the Redhawks came from behind in the final two innings to top Utah (2-1) in game two, 6-4.
Neither team scored in the opening two innings, and Utah added a single run in the third and fourth innings to lead, 2-0. In the third, Taylor Austin scored on a Chalese Fankhauser double to left center, and in the fourth, Sandi Fawson scored on a sacrifice bunt by Jackie Sweet.
Scoreless in the fifth inning, SU got on the board in the top of the sixth, adding two runs to tie the game, 2-2. Geronimo hit a 2RBI single up the middle to bring in Brittney Lott (Tacoma, Wash.) and Rogin Hardy (Kirkland, Wash.).
Utah regained the lead in the bottom of the inning, 3-2, as Marissa Mendenhall scored on a double by Sweet to left field.
Down by one run, the Redhawks’ powerful offensive output in the top of the seventh proved to be the difference maker. Hurst tripled down the right field line to drive in Petosa, followed by a run of her own, driven in by a Brianna Guerrero (Buena Park, Calif.) single. Becca Cable (Tacoma, Wash.) scored on a Hardy double to left field and Morrow finished the inning with an unearned run on an error at second base.
With two outs in the bottom of the seventh, Fankhauser tripled to right field, as Utah tried to get another offensive momentum going, but a final out gave the Redhawks their second win of the day.
Geronimo had two hits and two RBIs in four at bats, with Guerrero, Morrow, and Hardy also recording two hits in the game. The Redhawks outhit Utah, 12-6.
In the circle, Mandie Sugita (Rossmoor, Calif.) recorded the win, allowing just three runs on six hits, while walking three and striking out two in seven innings pitched. Mariah Ramirez, Naomi Amu, and Kayce Nieto all saw time in the circle for Utah, as Ramirez allowed two runs on seven hits, while striking out two in 5 2/3 innings pitched. Amu received the loss, as she gave up the final four runs on four hits, walking one in 2/3 inning pitched. Nieto allowed just one hit in the final 2/3 inning pitched.
The Redhawks finish the Red Desert Classic with a contest versus Weber State at 10 a.m. PT on Sunday, Feb. 10.