FINAL REGULAR SEASON ROAD TRIP: Seattle University hits the road for the final time in the 2014 regular season, heading to Orem, Utah, for a three-game series against Utah Valley University Friday through Sunday. With six conference games remaining on the schedule, Seattle U is close to clinching a bid to the WAC Baseball Tournament and has a chance to take care of business if enough happens over the weekend.
THE PREVIOUS WEEK: Seattle University went 2-2 during the week, starting with its second straight victory over nationally-ranked Washington, this time a 6-3 victory over the Huskies. Seattle U scored five runs in the fourth inning, highlighted by a bases-clearing triple hit by Cullen Hendrickson with two outs and the bases loaded. Grant Gunning settled down after a rough start, pitching seven innings for the victory, while Andrew Olson pitched the final two innings for his first save of the season. The Redhawks then faced Grand Canyon in a three-game conference series, losing two of three to the Antelopes. With rain in the forecast for the weekend, the teams agreed to play a doubleheader Friday. Grand Canyon won the first game, 12-2, before the combination of Skyler Genger and Garrett Anderson held the Antelopes to one run in the second game. Brian Olson hit a solo home run in the second inning, and Cullen Hendrickson drove in Brock Carpenter with two outs in the eighth inning. In a game that spanned two days, Grand Canyon took the series finale, 10-6. In the final game of the weekend, Michael McCann went 2-for-2 with three walks.
WAC TOURNAMENT SCENARIO: The top six teams, not including Grand Canyon, in the final Western Athletic Conference standings at the end of play Sunday, May 19, will qualify for the WAC Baseball Tournament in Mesa, Arizona. Sacramento State has clinched a spot in the tournament and needs just two more wins to secure one of the two byes, while Northern Colorado has already been eliminated from qualification and Chicago State is one loss away from suffering the same fate. Seattle University’s magic number to earn a spot in the tournament is four, meaning that a combination of four Redhawk wins and North Dakota losses will guarantee Seattle U’s spot in the tournament. If Seattle U and North Dakota end the season in a tie, Seattle U finishes ahead of North Dakota based on its series victory April 25-27.
SCOUTING UTAH VALLEY: The Wolverines enter the weekend series with a 22-24 overall record. Utah Valley is 13-8 in Western Athletic Conference games, currently third in the league standings, after winning two of three games at New Mexico State last weekend. The Wolverines capped their road trip with a 12-8 victory over the University of New Mexico Monday afternoon. As a team, Utah Valley has combined for a .252 batting average, a .954 fielding percentage, and a 4.94 earned run average. Sean Moysh leads the team with a .309 batting average, 51 hits, 31 runs scored, six home runs, 33 runs batted in, 25 walks, and a .399 on-base percentage. Mark Krueger is right behind him at .294 with five home runs and 33 RBI. Craig Brinkerhoff is batting .278 with 13 doubles, four triples, five home runs, and 23 RBI. Out of the bullpen, Chad Michaud leads Utah Valley with 17 appearances, compiling a 2-1 record with an 8.31 earned run average and three saves.
SERIES HISTORY: Seattle U and Utah Valley have met six times previously, with the Redhawks leading the series 4-2. On May 11-12, 2010, the teams split a two-game midweek series at Bannerwood Park, with Seattle U winning the first game, 11-9, before Utah Valley won the rematch, 2-1. In the first contest, Seattle U scored five runs in the bottom of the eighth inning for the comeback victory. Goose Kallunki drove in both UVU runs the next day, including the game-winning run in the 12th inning. The next year, Seattle U played one game at Utah Valley before heading to BYU for a weekend series, defeating the Wolverines 14-8. The Redhawks collected 18 hits and put together five-run frames in the sixth and ninth innings. The teams opened the 2012 season with a three-game series at Bannerwood Park. Seattle U won the season opener, 8-2, behind the pitching of Seafth Howe. After a rainout the next day, the teams played a doubleheader, with Utah Valley winning the first game, 15-2, called after seven innings. Seattle U came back in the nightcap for a 9-7 victory, scoring five runs in the seventh and four runs in the eighth before holding off a Wolverine rally, as Utah Valley scored three runs in the ninth inning.