“We had a lot of quality at bats and a solid defensive effort today,” said head coach Dan Powers. “Lindsay [Davis] did a good job in relief to seal the win.”
The Redhawks scored five in the first inning, tacked on two more in the second, and a single run in the third to take a 8-0 lead over the Wolverines through the first three innings.
Bubba Morrow (Auburn, Wash.) scored the first two runs on a base hit before Lisa Maulden (Maple Valley, Wash.) drove in Morrow on an RBI double. Rose Saenz (San Gabriel, Calif.) followed Maulden with a two-run homer to left center to put SU up 5-0 in the first set of at bats.
SU stranded five Wolverines on base in the first three innings, adding two more runs of their own in the second and an additional unearned run in the third on the throw to take the large lead.
The Wolverines cut their deficit with a five-run fifth inning on a pair of home runs from Brittney Vansway and Jaylen Watson and came within two, 8-6, as Vansway added an RBI single to center field in the sixth.
Fending off the attack, Paige Bouska (Keizer, Ore.) hit an infield RBI double with one out in the seventh while the Redhawk pitching staff held Utah Valley to a three-and-out in the bottom of the frame.
Breanna Timmons (Santa Maria, Calif.) led the Redhawks at the plate (3-for-4) while Morrow, Maulden, and Saenz all tallied multi-RBIs in the game.
With a two-base hit in the first, Maulden moved into a tie for first with Morrow for the top spot in Seattle U’s all-time career doubles records (each currently have 33).
In the circle, Mandie Sugita (Rossmoor, Calif.) picked up the win for Seattle U allowing five runs on nine hits while walking two and striking out three in five innings of work. Lindsay Davis (Palo Cedro, Calif.) earned her first career save allowing one run on three hits while striking out one batter in two innings.
The Wolverines used four different pitchers in the loss as the starter, Bailey Moore, was handed the loss, giving up five runs on four hits while walking one in just 1/3 inning.
SU and UVU close the series with a Saturday doubleheader, now slated to start at 10 am MT/9 am PT. The first game will be streamed through the Utah Valley athletics website while the second game will be broadcast on the WAC Digital Network. Links to both broadcasts and well as live stats are on the softball schedule page at GoSeattleU.com.