ON FAMILIAR GROUND: Seattle University plays five games within the Puget Sound area over the next week, with games against Pac-12 schools bookending a WAC weekend series. Tuesday, the Redhawks head to Montlake for the third game of the season series against the Washington Huskies. Friday, Seattle U begins a three-game series against WAC co-leader UT Arlington at Bannerwood Park. The stretch of games will conclude with a Monday contest against Oregon State, one of the best teams in the country, in the Beavers’ first ever game against the Redhawks on Seattle U’s home field.
LAST WEEK: Seattle University went 2-2 during the most recent week, starting with a 5-2 victory over British Columbia that snapped a seven-game losing streak. A three-run seventh inning made the difference for the Redhawks, starting with a solo home run from Brian Olson. The Redhawks traveled to Texas for the second time this season, this time facing Dallas Baptist in a three-game series. Seattle U fell behind in the first game Thursday, 7-0, before scoring four unanswered runs to close the gap. However, Dallas Baptist would hold on for an 8-4 victory. Friday’s game was the complete reverse, as Seattle U scored early, going ahead 6-0 on its way to a 7-2 win, breaking a six-game WAC losing streak. Saturday, the Redhawks battled back from a 4-1 deficit to tie the game at 4-4, but the Patriots scored five runs in the eighth inning to win the series with a 9-4 victory. Nate Roberts and Nick Latta each hit two home runs during the Dallas Baptist series, and Garrett Anderson pitched a career-high 7 2/3 innings during Friday’s victory.
SCOUTING WASHINGTON: The Huskies come into Tuesday’s game with a 9-24 overall record after losing two of three games at Stanford last weekend. Washington is 4-4 at home, but the Huskies just completed an 11-game road swing and have not played at Husky Ballpark since March 24. As a team, Washington has compiled a .250 batting average, a .976 fielding percentage, and a 4.07 earned run average. Jayce Ray leads the team with a .323 batting average, collecting 40 hits, including seven doubles and two triples, plus he has driven in 16 runs and earned 14 walks. Michael Camporeale leads the team with three home runs, and Robert Pehl has driven in a team-high 17 runs so far this season. Washington will start Tyler Davis, who is 1-4 with a 4.50 ERA. The Huskies have won the first two games of the season series, defeating the Redhawks at Husky Ballpark, 4-2, on March 5, and at Bannerwood Park, 14-1, on April 2.
SCOUTING UT ARLINGTON: The Mavericks are tied with CSU Bakersfield for the lead in the Western Athletic Conference with a 9-3 league record. Overall, UT Arlington is 20-15 heading into a home game against TCU Tuesday. As a team, the Mavericks have combined for a .289 batting average, a .972 fielding percentage, and a 4.59 earned run average. Matt Shortall leads the team and is fourth in the WAC in batting with a .368 batting average, earning 50 hits, including 12 doubles, two triples, three home runs, and 38 runs batted in. Shortall is tied for fourth in the WAC in hits, tied for first in doubles, and second in the league in RBI. On the mound, Brad Vachon is 4-2 with a 2.48 earned run average, allowing just 46 hits while striking out 45 batters in 61 2/3 innings of work. Out of the bullpen, Chad Nack leads the team with three saves, but he is 4-4 with a 7.26 earned run average. These will be the first meetings all-time between Seattle U and UT Arlington.
WEATHER FORECAST: Tuesday, the forecast calls for mostly sunny skies with temperatures in the high 50s. Clouds will roll into the area, with a chance of showers Friday and Saturday and temperatures in the mid-50s. Sunday calls for partly cloudy skies and temperatures back into the high 50s, with a similar forecast for Monday’s game against Oregon State.
42: In celebration of the new movie that tells the story of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in major league baseball, there will be several giveaways relating to the movie "42" Saturday, April 20. The items include: t-shirts, hats, seat cushions, coolers, baseballs, cup holders, movie tickets and posters.
WEEKEND SPECIAL: Adults can purchase a value pack which includes a ticket, hot dog, bottled beverage and chips or candy for $11 for either Saturday or Sunday's game. The youth value pack is $9.
SCOUTING OREGON STATE: The Beavers are currently 28-6 overall after sweeping Utah last weekend. Oregon State has been in the top ten of the national polls throughout the season. The Beavers are scheduled to play a single game at Portland and a three-game series at Washington before the quick stop to Bannerwood Park. As a team, Oregon State has a .285 batting average, a .971 fielding percentage, and a 1.89 earned run average, second-best in the country. Dylan Davis leads the team offensively with a .341 batting average, earning 45 hits, including 12 doubles, two triples, and one home run. Michael Conforto is batting .339 with six home runs and 26 RBI. Oregon State leads the all-time series, 7-4-1, but this will be the first meeting ever hosted by Seattle U.