AN EARLY CHALLENGE: Seattle University brings a five-game winning streak into Wednesday’s non-conference game against Portland. The Redhawks then head to Sacramento, Calif., for an important three-game series against current WAC leader Sacramento State.
THE PREVIOUS WEEK: Seattle University was perfect during the past week, defeating Portland before sweeping UTPA in a conference series. After not playing a game in two weeks, the Redhawks started out slowly against the Pilots in Portland, falling behind 3-0. However, thanks to a solid pitching performance by Skyler Genger and a 5-for-5 performance by Brian Olson, the Redhawks came back for the 7-3 victory. Then, with rain continuing to drench Seattle and Bannerwood Park, Seattle U was forced to change the time and site of all three games against UTPA, but the Redhawks dealt with the changes in sweeping the Broncs, the first three-game sweep for Seattle U since the program was reestablished in 2010. Both games Friday were walk-off victories, with Griffin Andreychuk taking one for the team in the first game, being hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. In game two of Friday’s doubleheader, Landon Cray drove in Ryan Somers with the game-winning run. The final game took almost four hours of playing time over two days to complete, with Seattle U finishing the weekend sweep with a 13-8 victory.
WAC LEADERS: Through March 30, Landon Cray leads the team and the league in batting at .382, plus he is fifth in the WAC in slugging percentage (.513) and sixth in on-base percentage (.453). Meanwhile, Brian Olson is third in the conference in batting average (.365), third in slugging percentage (.541), tied for sixth in hits (31), tied for second in runs batted in (21) and doubles (8), and tied for fourth in triples (2). On the mound, Grant Gunning leads the league in earned run average (1.23) and lowest opponent batting average (.177), while Connor Moore is eighth in the WAC with a 2.84 ERA. Mac Acker is tied for eighth in strikeouts with 30 and tied for sixth in victories with three.
SCHEDULE UPDATE: The exhibition game against British Columbia scheduled for Tuesday, April 1, was cancelled at UBC’s request.
SCOUTING PORTLAND: The Pilots are 5-22 overall after being swept by Pepperdine over the weekend, scoring just one run total in the three games. Portland brings a 12-game losing streak into Tuesday’s game against Oregon State. As a team, the Pilots are batting just .208 while posting a .970 fielding percentage and a 4.55 earned run average. Caleb Whalen leads the Pilots with a .265 batting average and three home runs, plus he has driven 11 runs in. Cody Lenahan leads the way with 14 runs batted in. Colin Feldtman, the starter last week against the Redhawks, leads Portland with a 3.22 earned run average and 19 strikeouts, while Jackson Lockwood has three of Portland’s five wins.
SCOUTING SACRAMENTO STATE: The Hornets enter the week with a 16-11 overall record after winning nine of their last 10 games, including all six WAC contests so far this season. As a team, Sacramento State has combined for a .279 batting average, a .973 fielding percentage, and a 3.27 earned run average. Rhys Hoskins, the current WAC Player of the Week, leads the team with a .375 batting average, five home runs, and 22 RBI. David Del Grande is batting .359 with three home runs and 19 RBI. while Brandon Hurley has four home runs and 18 runs batted in. Out of the bullpen, Sutter McLoughlin is 2-0 with seven saves in 12 appearances, giving up only eight hits and three walks while striking out 15 batters in 17 innings of work. Alex Palsha leads the team with 16 appearances, going 3-0 with a 2.00 earned run average and 22 strikeouts in 27 innings pitched.