TEMPE, Ariz. – Seattle University softball (2-3) put the tying runs on the corners in the bottom of the seventh but could not drive them home as they fell, 3-1, to UC Riverside (2-2) to close the weekend at the Kajikawa Classic.
"Today was a tough day at the plate but we had a very successful first weekend," said head coach Dan Powers. "I was very proud to see our freshmen compete well during their first college tournament. We have some work to do in practice but I'm confident this group will continue to make positive adjustments."
Both teams scoreless through the first two innings, Jenna Curtan left in scoring position for the Highlanders in the top of the first would be the closest early threat.
UC Riverside would get on the board first in the top of the third as Taylor Wright scored an unearned run on the final play of the inning before the third out was called. In the bottom of the frame, Brianna Timmons (Santa Maria, Calif.) hit her first career home run to left field to tie the tally.
The score tied, 1-1, through four, UC Riverside tacked on a single run each in the fifth and sixth innings on RBI singles from Haley Harris and Wright.
The Redhawks advanced runners to the corners with only one out in the bottom of the second, the tying runs on base, but two outs would end the inning and the game.
In the circle, Alyssa Reuble (Lynnwood, Wash.) was handed the loss for Seattle U giving up two runs on nine hits while striking out two in the five inning outing. Lindsay Davis (Palo Cedro, Calif.) and Mandie Sugita (Rossmoor, Calif.) pitched in relief. Chelsea Ponce earned the complete game win for UC Riverside allowing just one run on three hits while walking three and striking out 13.
Timmons led the Redhawks at the plate, batting 2-for-3, with her first career home run.
Seattle U will head to Las Vegas, Nev. next weekend for the Wilson-Demarini Desert Classic at UNLV. Stay tuned to GoSeattleU.com for all the latest updates on the team throughout the 2015 season.