Seattle University softball (7-5) hosted Northwest University (2-7) in their first regular season contests at the newly renovated Logan Field at Seattle University Park and won both contests in five innings. In game one, the Redhawks came away with the 9-1 win and in game two, they defeated the Eagles, 15-0.
"Today we hit well as a team and our pitchers hit their spots," said head coach Dan Powers. "Lisa's out of the park home run was impressive. It was a great way to break in the new field."
Game 1: Seattle U 9, Northwest University 1
In game one, Lisa Maulden (Maple Valley, Wash.) hit the first regular season home run on the new field, a 3 RBI homer to right field, to put SU up, 3-0. Maulden drove in Brittney Lott (Tacoma, Wash.) and Rogin Hardy (Kirkland, Wash.) on the hit.
The Redhawks added two more runs in the bottom of the second. With one out, Jenny Hurst (Laguna Niguel, Calif.) and Allegra Wilde (Kennewick, Wash.) hit back-to-back doubles to drive in the first run. After a second out, Sarah Petosa (Federal Way, Wash.) scored on a single by Lott to give the Redhawks the 5-0 advantage through two innings.
SU left two on base in the bottom of the third, but neither team was able to score in the inning. The Redhawks added two more runs apiece in the fourth and fifth innings. In the fourth, Maulden hit a single to drive in Jennifer Sweet (Bend, Ore.) and Lott, and in the fifth, Lott hit a two RBI double to drive in Wilde and Isabella Geronimo (San Mateo, Calif.).
The Eagles scored a single run in the top of the fifth inning as Lauren Robinson scored on a single by Hannah Ganfield, but it was not enough and the Redhawks emerged with the 9-1 victory.
Lott led SU with three hits and Maulden led the Redhawks with five RBIs in the game.
In the circle, Kelli Peckham gave up all nine runs on 12 hits while walking four and striking out one in 4 2/3 innings pitched for the Eagles. For the Redhawks, Richelle Ashburn (Post Falls, Idaho) got the win, allowing just one run on one hit while walking two and striking out eight in five innings pitched.
Game 2: Seattle U 15, Northwest University 0
In game two, the Redhawks scored one run in the first inning followed by two more in the second to take the early 3-0 lead. In the first, Petosa scored on a single by Hurst and in the second, Hardy scored on a Geronimo triple followed by a Brianna Guerrero (Buena Park, Calif.) single driving in Geronimo.
A big third inning for the Redhawks made the difference in the contest, as they added 11 runs in the bottom of the inning, highlighted by a grand slam to center field by Bubba Morrow (Auburn, Wash.). Of note, Geronimo also hit a 2RBI single to drive in the final two runs of the inning.
A three and out for Northwest in the fourth gave the Redhawks a final chance to add to their lead, as Karina Smyth (San Luis Obispo, Calif.) scored on a single by Lott. Another three and out in the top of the fifth for the Eagles made the final score official, 15-0, in favor of the Redhawks.
Hurst recorded a team-high four hits for Seattle U, with Geronimo and Morrow recording a team-leading four RBIs apiece in the contest. Four different Redhawks each scored two runs apiece in the game - Hurst, Lot, Hardy, and Geronimo.
Jessica Ulrich (Lewiston, Idaho) earned her second win of the season in the circle, allowing just two hits and walking one while striking out one in five innings pitched. For the Eagles, Vanessa Ahrendt allowed 15 runs on 13 hits while walking two and striking out two in four innings pitched.
On the day, Lott recorded a team high four runs and six hits and Maulden recorded a team-high five RBIs.
Seattle U remains at home for the official grand opening of their new field as they host the University of Washington in the school's first on-campus outdoor sporting event "under the lights". The Huskies and Redhawks take the field at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 27 at Logan Field. Fans are encouraged to bring their own chairs as seating will be limited in the ballpark.