On the first day of the Easton Desert Classic, Seattle University softball gave up a mid-game lead to fall to Long Beach State, 16-9, but fought back to top Utah, 10-0, in five innings.
"Today we hit the ball well and scored a lot of runs," said head coach Dan Powers. "Despite losing the first game, we bounced back and had a big split on the day."
Game 1 – Long Beach State 16, Seattle U 9
Seattle U had the 9-6 lead through four innings, but a big fifth inning for the 49ers ultimately gave them the win, 16-9.
In the first inning, the Redhawks scored four early runs behind a sacrifice hit and fly as well as a two RBI double by Isabella Geronimo (San Mateo, Calif.). Long Beach state added a run in the bottom of the inning, but the Redhawks followed it with three more runs in the second to take the 7-1 lead.
SU scoreless in the third, the 49ers scored four runs of their own in the bottom of the inning to trail by two, 7-5.
In the top of the fourth, Lisa Maulden (Maple Valley, Wash.) hit a 2 RBI single to give the Redhawks the 9-5 lead and they held a 9-6 lead going into the top of the fifth.
Unable to score in the fifth, sixth, or seventh innings, Seattle U gave up six runs in the fifth and four in the sixth to give the 49ers the lead and the win, 16-9.
Sarah Petosa (Federal Way, Wash.), Rogin Hardy (Kirkland, Wash.), and Brittney Lott (Tacoma, Wash.) led the team with two runs apiece, and Isabella Geronimo recorded a team-high three RBIs.
In the circle, Mandie Sugita (Rossmoor, Calif.) gave up five runs on four hits while walking two and striking out three in 2 2/3 innings pitched. Jessica Ulrich (Lewiston, Idaho) allowed six runs on six hits while walking two and Richelle Ashburn (Post Falls, Idaho) allowed five runs on four hits while walking four and striking out one in 1 1/3 innings pitched.
Game 2 – Seattle U
10, Utah 0 (5 innings)
Seattle U rebounded from their earlier loss with a 10-0 run rule shutout over Utah, their second victory over Utah this season.
In the first and second innings, the Redhawks added three runs each. In the first, Bubba Morrow (Auburn, Wash.)hit an RBI single to right field followed by a 2RBI double by Lott. In the second, Petosa hit an RBI single with Brianna Guerrero (Buena Park, Calif.) hitting a 2RBI single to right field to put the Redhawks up early, 6-0.
In the bottom of the third, SU added four more runs to take the 10-0 lead. To begin the inning, Allegra Wilde (Kennewick, Wash.) singled through the right side to bring in Geronimo. With two outs, Guerrero doubled to center field to drive in Petosa and Wilde. Near the conclusion of the inning, Maulden hit an RBI single to left field.
The Utes were not able to drive in any runs overall, as neither team scored in the fourth or fifth, and Seattle U came away with the 10-0 win in five innings.
Petosa, Guerrero, and Wilde led the team with two runs apiece, with Guerrero recording a team-leading four RBIs.
In the circle, Ashburn allowed just four hits in the complete game shutout, while walking one and striking out five. For the Utes, Kayce Nieto allowed seven runs on eight hits while walking one in two innings pitched and Naomi Amu allowed the final three runs while walking two and striking out one in two innings pitched.
The Redhawks (5-2) return to action tomorrow, Saturday, Feb. 16 as part of the Easton Desert Classic, facing No. 19 UCLA at 11:15 a.m. PT and Louisiana Monroe at 1:30 p.m. PT.