In game one, Utah Valley (15-29, 3-6 WAC) used a slow and steady midgame attack to earn a 4-2 victory and in game two, Seattle University softball (14-29, 3-6 WAC) offensively exploded early and held off the UVU attack for an 11-8 win. Also earning a victory in game one of the series on Friday, the Redhawks win their first Western Athletic Conference series of 2015.
"It was great to get the road series win today," said head coach Dan Powers. "Out bats and defense were strong all weekend and we are building momentum heading into the WAC tournament."
SU returns home to host nationally-ranked Washington on Wednesday, Apr. 15 at 6 p.m. PT before heading to face University of Missouri-Kansas City next weekend in conference play.
Wednesday will be the team’s StrikeOut Cancer game to benefit pancreatic cancer research and fans can find out more at the following link: http://www.lustgarten.org/page.aspx?pid=839&tab=0&erid=17425505&frsid=17254.
Stay tuned to GoSeattleU.com for all the latest updates on the team throughout the 2015 campaign.
Game 1: Utah Valley 4, Seattle U 2
Utah Valley scored one run apiece in the second and third innings, first on a Kori Barrios sacrifice fly, and next on an RBI double to left field by Jaylen Watson. The Wolverines took a 4-0 lead through four as Barrios batted in Kristy Snyder on a base hit up the middle before later scoring on a wild pitch.
Seattle U cut their deficit in half, 4-2, in the sixth as Molly Campbell (San Diego, Calif.) scored on a fielder’s choice and Isabella Geronimo (San Mateo, Calif.) drove in Julia Bragado (San Diego, Calif.) with an RBI double to right field.
Breanna Timmons (Santa Maria, Calif.) hit 2-for-3 to lead SU at the plate while Geronimo also recorded a multi-hit game (2-for-4) for the red and white.
Alyssa Reuble (Lynnwood, Wash.) suffered the loss in the circle allowing three runs on four hits while walking two and striking out five before Lindsay Davis (Palo Cedro, Calif.) entered in relief giving up one run on four hits while striking out two.
Makayla Shadle picked up the win in the circle for Utah Valley, giving up two runs on five hits while walking five and striking out two in six innings of work. Bailey Moore earned her first save of the season pitching the final inning.
The Redhawks could not capitalize on early scoring chances, leaving the bases loaded in the first and leaving runners on the corners in the second.
Game 2: Seattle U 11, Utah Valley 8
Seattle U jumped out to a 10-0 lead through the first two innings with three runs in the first and seven more in the second. Bubba Morrow (Auburn, Wash.) and Lisa Maulden (Maple Valley, Wash.) hit back-to-back RBI doubles in their first at bats of the game before Rose Saenz (San Gabriel, Calif.) scored on a wild pitch.
The Redhawks’ seven-run second inning was thanks in part to a trio of doubles, second of the game for Morrow, as well as a Saenz RBI infield single to score Geronimo. SU increased their lead, 11-0, in the fourth as when Sara Dominguez (Santa Ynez, Calif.) scored on a passed ball.
Utah Valley avoided the five-inning game tacking on seven runs in the bottom of the fourth, still trailing, 11-7. Brianna Gatlin scored on a sacrifice fly before the Wolverines hit three RBI singles and Dynasty Lauvai hit a two-run double to the outfield, all with two outs.
Jaylen Watson hit a solo homer in the final half inning to pull the Wolverines within three, 11-8, but the Redhawks would hold on for the victory.
Davis picked up the win in the circle allowing three runs on five hits and striking out one while Reuble picked up the save.