Seattle University softball (17-23, 6-6 WAC) struck early and continued to execute offensively as they topped Utah State (8-33, 2-10 WAC), 8-0, in five innings to complete the series sweep. This is Seattle U’s first Western Athletic Conference series sweep and series win.
"Our bats came alive today," said head coach Dan Powers. "Izzy [Geronimo] had an incredible series leading the way. Richelle [Ashburn] kept them off balance and our defense did the rest. We are beginning to put everything together at the right time of the year."
Seattle U added two runs apiece in the first two innings, the first run in the bottom of the first coming from a bases-loaded walk as Isabella Geronimo (San Mateo, Calif.) scored. Bubba Morrow (Auburn, Wash.) scored with two outs to end the first inning. In the second, the Redhawks scored two runs on singles by Rogin Hardy (Kirkland, Wash.) and Brianna Guerrero (Buena Park, Calif.), as Geronimo and Morrow each scored a second run.
The Redhawks added a single run in the bottom of the third, taking the 5-0 lead, as Sarah Petosa (Federal Way, Wash.) scored on a double by Geronimo.
Utah State left two on base in two of the opening three innings, with a runner left in scoring position in each of the three innings, but they were not able to drive the runs home.
Leaving two runners stranded on base in the bottom of the fourth, with Erin Crowley (Kent, Wash.) and Brittney Lott (Tacoma, Wash.) left in scoring position, SU remained in the lead, 5-0, going into the top of the fifth.
Utah State’s Jolene Koons advanced to second on a Christine Thomsen single with two outs in the top of the fifth, but the Aggies could not drive the runners home, leaving both on base.
In the bottom of the fifth, Allegra Wilde (Kennewick, Wash.) reached base on a single, advancing to second on a stolen base. Geronimo singled to advance Wilde to third and with two outs, Morrow hit a 2RBI double to drive in the two runners on base. In the next at bat, Lott hit a walk-off double to drive in Morrow for the game-winning run.
A home run shy of the cycle, Geronimo led the Redhawks with four hits and three runs, as Morrow also recorded three runs. Morrow and Lott led the team with two RBIs apiece.
In the circle for Seattle U, Richelle Ashburn (Post Falls, Idaho) recorded her second win of the weekend, allowing just four hits while walking four and striking out two in the complete game shutout.
Mandy Harmon was handed the loss for the Aggies, giving up two runs on one hit while walking three and striking out one in one inning pitched. In relief, Noelle Johnson allowed six runs on 10 hits while walking one and striking out five in 3 2/3 innings pitched.
Seattle U heads to UTSA for a three-game conference series next weekend, facing the Roadrunners for a single game at 4 p.m. PT on Friday, Apr. 19 and a doubleheader starting at 2 p.m. PT on Saturday, Apr. 20. For all the latest updates and schedule changes, stay tuned to GoSeattleU.com, @su_athletics on Twitter, and Seattle U Athletics on Facebook.