Seattle University softball (13-27) suffered a pair of losses in a non-conference doubleheader at Portland State (6-26), falling 1-0 in the first contest and 4-3 in the second, as the Vikings came from behind to win.
"Richelle and Alyssa pitched very well today," said head coach Dan Powers. "I was proud to see them rebound from last weekend. We weren't able to put quality at bats together and were pressing at the plate. We will make some adjustments in practice and be ready for Kansas City on Friday."
The Redhawks return home to host Kansas City for a three-game Western Athletic Conference series this weekend with a doubleheader on Friday, Apr. 11 at 4 p.m. and a single game Saturday, Apr. 12 at 2 p.m. Saturday’s game will be the team’s annual Pink Game to benefit Susan G. Komen and breast cancer research.
Game 1: Portland State 1, Seattle U 0
Isabella Geronimo (San Mateo, Calif.) started the contest with a single, advancing as far as third, but was one of two runners left on base as both teams remained scoreless through two and a half innings, despite each team earning a hit in the first two frames.
In the bottom of the third, Portland State’s Alicia Fine scored on an RBI single down the left field line by Crysta Conn to take the 1-0 lead, which would prove to be the winning run.
Quick three-and-outs for each team over most of the remainder of the contest, PSU earned a hit in the bottom of the fifth and Seattle U followed suit in the bottom of the sixth, but Sarah Petosa (Federal Way, Wash.) was left in scoring position after reaching on a fielder’s choice.
Geronimo led the way with two of the Redhawks’ three hits, with Hayley Beckstrom (Maple Valley, Wash.) also receiving credit for a hit. Four different Vikings recorded a hit apiece, outhitting SU, 4-3.
In the circle, Richelle Ashburn (Post Falls, Idaho) was handed the loss, giving up just one run on four hits while walking one and striking out seven in six innings pitched. Karyn Wright earned the win, allowing just three hits and striking out four in seven innings of work.
Game 2: Portland State 4, Seattle U 3
Seattle U took the early 1-0 lead on an RBI single to left center by Bubba Morrow (Auburn, Wash.), driving in Geronimo but Portland State would tie the game on a Brittany Hendrickson RBI single to bring in Becca Bliss.
In the top of the second, Lisa Maulden (Maple Valley, Wash.) and Jenny Hurst (Laguna Niguel, Calif.) would score a pair of unearned runs on a throwing error by PSU’s Melissa Masters.
In the bottom of the fifth, Portland State would tie the game again, 3-3, as Fine scored on a double by Bliss and Bliss came home on a wild pitch.
In the bottom of the seventh, Lexi Goranson would score the winning run on a Aubrey Nitschelm single to center field with bases loaded to earn the 4-3 victory.
In the circle, Masters started for the Vikings, giving up three runs on five hits while walking four and striking out two in six innings, but Meagan Hendrix entered for the final inning, earning the win. For SU, Alyssa Reuble (Lynnwood, Wash.) was handed the loss, allowing all four runs on eight hits while walking one and striking out four in six innings pitched. Lindsay Davis (Palo Cedro, Calif.) faced three batters, gave up one hit, and walked two.