HOME SWEET HOME: After playing 19 of its first 26 games away from its home field, Seattle University begins a six-game homestand to kick off April. The Redhawks start the week with non-conference games against regional rivals Washington Tuesday, April 2, and Portland Wednesday, April 3. Seattle U then hosts its first Western Athletic Conference series when the UTSA Roadrunners come to town for three games Friday through Sunday, April 5-7. The Redhawks look to rebound after losing three straight games to Texas State last weekend.
LAST WEEKEND: Seattle University jumped on the scoreboard first in every game during its Easter weekend series at Texas State, but the Bobcats used one big inning each time to come from behind for the victory. Thursday, Brian Olson led off the fifth inning with a single and came around to score the first run of the game, but Texas State answered with three runs in the bottom of the fifth on its way to a 4-2 victory. The Redhawks were held to five hits, three of them coming from Grant Newton. Friday, Seattle U outhit the Bobcats, 14-7, but Redhawk pitching allowed nine walks as Texas State earned a 7-5 victory. Seattle U scored twice in the third inning to take the early lead, but the Bobcats broke the game open with five runs in the fourth inning. Seattle U had its chances to come back, but the Redhawks stranded 10 runners on base and hit into two double plays. Saturday, Landon Cray led off the game with a home run, and Seattle U scored twice more to take a 3-0 lead. However, Texas State scored four runs in the third inning and completed the weekend sweep with a 6-4 win.
SCOUTING WASHINGTON: The Huskies come into Tuesday’s game with a 6-19 overall record after being swept at nationally-ranked Oregon over the weekend. The Huskies took the Ducks to extra innings before losing Thursday, and then Oregon’s pitching shut out Washington both Friday (1-0) and Saturday (6-0). As a team, Washington has combined for a .238 batting average, a .978 fielding percentage, and a 4.01 earned run average. Jayce Ray and Trevor Mitsui are tied for the team lead in hitting with a .290 batting average, with Ray leading the way with 16 runs scored, seven doubles, one triple, and 10 runs batted in. Zach Wright leads the Huskies with 15 appearances, posting a 1-2 record with a 3.64 ERA, while Tyler Kane has four saves to pace the Huskies. Washington won the first meeting between the two teams March 5 at Husky Ballpark, 4-2.
SCOUTING PORTLAND: The Pilots enter the week with a 11-16 overall record after sweeping a three-game series from Santa Clara in Portland over the weekend. Portland will play at Oregon State Tuesday before coming north to face the Redhawks. As a team, the Pilots have combined for a .241 batting average, a .974 fielding percentage, and a 4.08 earned run average. Jeff Melby leads the team with a .323 batting average, 30 hits, and 11 runs batted in. Ben Grubb is currently batting .290 with 15 runs scored, seven doubles, one triple, one home run, and five stolen bases. On the mound, Jeremy Burright leads the team with 12 appearances, posting a 2-2 record with a 3.18 ERA and two saves. Portland won the first meeting at Bannerwood Park Feb. 19, 6-4, before Seattle U won two of three games over the Pilots in Portland March 8-10.
SCOUTING UTSA: The Roadrunners enter the week with a 16-12 overall record, including a 2-4 record within the Western Athletic Conference after losing two of three games to San Jose State last weekend. UTSA will play at Texas A&M Tuesday before coming west for the weekend. As a team, the Roadrunners have compiled a .324 batting average, a .960 fielding percentage, and a 4.83 earned run average. UTSA is fifth in the country in team batting average. RJ Perucki leads the team with a .368 batting average, 43 hits, including seven home runs, 27 runs scored, and 30 runs batted in. On the mound, Jordan Pacheco has made 13 appearances, 11 out of the bullpen, and has a 6-1 record with a 4.50 ERA. In 11 appearances out of the bullpen, Matt Sims is 1-0 with a 3.44 ERA and three saves, accumulating 27 strikeouts in 18 1/3 innings.
WEATHER FORECAST: Tuesday, the forecast calls for partly cloudy skies with temperatures in the 50s at the start before dropping into the high 40s. Mostly sunny skies are being called for on Wednesday with temperatures in the low 60s. The weekend forecast is for showers throughout with winds coming from the south and temperatures in the 50s.
BROADCAST INFORMATION: Dan Giuliani will broadcast at least four of the five games during the week on GoSeattleU.com, with the possibility of video accompanying the audio. Saturday’s game is up in the air, but there will be a link to UTSA’s broadcast if Giuliani is unable to broadcast. Live stats for all five games will also be provided on GoSeattleU.com.