“We made our adjustments at the plate today,” said head coach Dan Powers. “Mandie [Sugita] came in and shut down their offense to keep us in the game. It was a great team effort getting our first WAC win.”
The Redhawks left two on base to end the first inning, but were not able to convert, and the Mavericks took advantage of the scoring opportunity adding three runs in the bottom of the inning. Taylor Zink scored the first run after reaching base on a double to left field. Britnea Barilli later scored on a triple by Rachel Forshaw and Forshaw scored on an error by the Seattle U infield.
Seattle U again left two on base to end the second, but were able to get key outs in the bottom of the inning to keep the score 3-0.
The third inning proved to be the game changer for Seattle U, as they added eight runs in the inning to take the 8-3 lead. Brianna Guerrero (Buena Park, Calif.) hit a grand slam, her first collegiate home run, to drive in four of the team’s eight runs during the inning, and Isabella Geronimo (San Mateo, Calif.) added two more with a 2RBI double to left center field. Geronimo and Rogin Hardy (Kirkland, Wash.) also scored on singles by Erin Crowley (Kent, Wash.) and Lisa Maulden (Maple, Valley, Wash.)
A quick three-and-out for the Mavs in the bottom of the third and fourth gave the Redhawks chances to add to their score as they added five more runs over the next two innings.
Maulden hit a solo home run with one out in the top of the fourth to make the score 9-3 and in the top of the fifth, a double by Geronimo and back-to-back singles by Bubba Morrow (Auburn, Wash.) and Maulden gave the Redhawks a 13-3 lead.
UT Arlington added one final run in the bottom of the fifth as Zink scored on a bases-loaded fielder’s choice, but they were not able to decrease the deficit further as SU came away with the 13-4 win in five innings.
Guerrero led the Redhawks with 4RBIs followed by Geronimo and Maulden with 3RBIs apiece. Maulden also led the team with three hits. The Redhawks outhit the Mavericks, 11-7.
Richelle Ashburn (Post Falls, Idaho) got the start for the Redhawks, allowing three runs while walking two in 2/3 innings pitched. Mandie Sugita (Rossmoor, Calif.) entered in relief, earning the win, allowing just one run in 4 1/3 innings pitched.
Callie Collins allowed four runs on two hits while walking three and striking out two in 2 1/3 innings pitched while Teri Lyles was handed the loss, allowing nine runs while walking two and striking out two in 2 2/3 innings pitched.
The Redhawks host Texas State in their conference home opener next weekend with a doubleheader on Friday, Mar. 29 at 3 p.m. and a single game on Saturday, Mar. 30 at 1 p.m.