“We had a lot of timely hitting and the defense made some spectacular plays behind our pitchers,” said head coach Dan Powers. “This was the first time in awhile that we put it all together and it was a great way to start our home conference season. We had different people contributing in the lineup – Hayley [Beckstrom] had a great hit and Paige [Bouska] had the game winner [in game one]. Brianna [Guerrero] made an adjustment in the last game, which ended up resulting in a game-winning home run. I’m really proud of this team; we’re going to keep fighting and make it interesting in the WAC.”
Seattle U’s single game vs. the Wolverines on Saturday, Apr. 5 to close out the series has been moved up to 12 noon to avoid rain later in the day.
Game 1: Seattle U 8, Utah Valley 7
Utah Valley opened up the contest taking a 2-1 lead through the first inning on a single by Brittney Vansway to drive in Brianna Gatlin and Morgan Summers. In the bottom of the frame, Isabella Geronimo (San Mateo, Calif.) scored on a wild pitch.
After a scoreless following two innings, SU took a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the fourth on a 2RBI double by Lisa Maulden (Maple Valley, Wash.) to drive in Bubba Morrow (Auburn, Wash.) and Sarah Petosa (Federal Way, Wash.).
Utah Valley regained the lead in the top of the sixth on a pair of RBI singles and a fielder’s choice to take the 5-3 advantage. SU would bring it within one in the bottom of the frame, 5-4, on a fielder’s choice, advancing Hayley Beckstrom (Maple Valley, Wash.) and driving in Brianna Guerrero (Buena Park, Calif.).
The Wolverines extended their lead in the top of the seventh, 7-4, on a 2 RBI single by Erin Romero, but the Redhawks powered back adding four runs in the bottom of the inning. Geronimo and Petosa started the inning with back-to-back walks before Maulden drove both home on a 2RBI single. Beckstrom would tie the game on an RBI double, driving in Morrow before Paige Bouska (Keizer, Ore.) drove home the game-winning run by Mandie Sugita (Rossmoor, Calif.).
Three different Redhawks led the squad with two runs apiece while three others led with two hits apiece. Maulden recorded a team-high four RBIs.
In the circle, Bailey Moore was handed the loss for the Wolverines while Alyssa Reuble (Lynnwood, Wash.) earned the win allowing three runs on seven hits while striking out two in two innings pitched.
Game 2: Seattle U 4, Utah Valley 3
Utah Valley opened the contest with a run apiece in the first and second innings but the Redhawks would tie the game, 2-2, with two of their own in the bottom of the first, both on a wild pitch.
Each team added a run in the fourth as Kelli Fox and Maulden both scored unearned runs as the game remained tied at three.
A one-out solo home run by Guerrero would prove to be the difference maker, putting the Redhawks ahead, 4-3. Seattle U looked to add insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth but left three runners stranded on base, but came away with the win.
Four different Redhawks contributed a run in the win as hits were tied, 6-6.
In the circle, Josi Summers was handed the loss, allowing all four runs on five hits as well as four walks and three strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings pitched. Kelsey Lawton entered in relief for the final 1 2/3 innings.
Lindsay Davis (Palo Cedro, Calif.) earned the win, giving up just three runs on six hits while walking two in seven innings pitched.