“Mandie did a great job in the circle today and our defense supported her with some great plays as well,” said head coach Dan Powers. “We got a few timely hits to beat a very good team today.”
A three-and-out for both teams in the first inning, the Redhawks had their first chance to score in the top of the second, but left two on base to end the inning. The Spartans left one on base as the game remained scoreless through two innings.
Seattle U took the lead, which would prove to be for good, in the top of the third as Allegra Wilde (Kennewick, Wash.) scored on a double to center field by Bubba Morrow (Auburn, Wash.). A three-and-out for SJSU in the bottom kept the margin at one as the Redhawks led, 1-0, through three.
The bases loaded with no outs in the top of the fourth, Brianna Guerrero (Buena Park, Calif.) scored on a throwing error by SJSU pitcher Amanda Pridmore. The Spartans left a runner on first, but could not advance further as the Redhawks remained ahead, 2-0.
Seattle U left two runners on base to end the fifth and sixth innings, with one runner left on third in each, but they were not able to add to their score. The Spartans prevented the shutout in the bottom of the sixth as Michelle Cox hit a solo home run to put SJSU on the board.
SJSU left one in scoring position in the bottom of the seventh, but they were not able to overcome the deficit as the Redhawks came away with the win in game one.
As a team, the Redhawks outhit the Spartans, 7-5, as Wilde and Morrow led SU with 2 hits apiece.
In the circle, Mandie Sugita (Rossmoor, Calif.) earned the complete game win for Seattle U, allowing just one run on five hits while striking out three in seven innings pitched.
Pridmore allowed two runs on four hits while walking two and striking out five in four innings, and Allison Lang allowed three hits while walking one in three relief innings pitched.
The Redhawks and Spartans will finish the series with a doubleheader starting at 12 noon on Saturday, Apr. 6. The link to available live stats is on the softball schedule page at www.GoSeattleU.com.