“We had a few chances early but we weren’t able to put quality at bats together,” said head coach Dan Powers. “Our pitching was solid all series but we still need to tighten up our defense and plate approach before the WAC tournament.”
Both teams scoreless through three, Grand Canyon would leave a runner on base in all three innings while the Redhawks would have their best early scoring chance in the second, leaving Bubba Morrow (Auburn, Wash.) in scoring position and Lisa Maulden (Maple Valley, Wash.) on first.
The Lopes took the lead, which would prove to be for good, in the top of the fourth on an RBI double to center by Nicole Newbury and an infield RBI single by Stephanie Pesqueira, driving Newbury home.
SU closed the deficit, 2-1, in the bottom of the frame on a bunt RBI single by Sarah Petosa (Federal Way, Wash.), but Brianna Guerrero (Buena Park, Calif.) was left in scoring position to end the inning.
The Lopes would add a run apiece in the fifth and sixth on a pair of RBI doubles and two more in the top of the seventh to come away with the 6-1 win.
Prior to the contest, Seattle U honored this year’s senior class in their final regular season home game including Petosa, Jennifer Sweet (Bend, Ore.), Guerrero, Richelle Ashburn (Post Falls, Idaho), and Karina Smyth (San Luis Obispo, Calif.).
In the circle, Ashburn was handed the loss, allowing two runs on four hits while walking one and striking out two in three innings pitched. Alyssa Reuble (Lynnwood, Wash.) entered in relief, allowing four runs on eight hits while walking one. Mandie Sugita (Rossmoor, Calif.) gave up one hit in a one inning outing.
Pesqueira earned the win for the Lopes, allowing just one run on five hits while walking two and striking out five in the complete game outing.
Grand Canyon clinched the WAC regular season title, but is not eligible for the tournament as they are in NCAA reclassification. Seattle U is set to host the WAC tournament from May 8-10 as all five eligible teams advance alongside SU including New Mexico State, Utah Valley, Bakersfield, and Kansas City.
SU will be the No. 3 seed in the tournament and will first face No. 2 Kansas City on Thursday, May 8 at 1:30 pm. Full bracket attached to this story. Stay tuned to GoSeattleU.com, @su_athletics on Twitter, and su_redhawks on Instagram for all the latest leading up to the tournament.