The Redhawks move on to a rematch with Utah Valley on Friday, May 8 at 4 p.m. MT/3 p.m. PT in another elimination game.
Game 1: Utah Valley 13, Seattle U 3 (6 innings)
The Redhawks left seven runners on base across the first four innings, but were able to plate a run apiece in the second and fourth innings to take a 2-0 lead through four. Breanna Timmons (Santa Maria, Calif.) and Paige Bouska (Keizer, Ore.) scored the Redhawks’ first two runs on RBI singles while Mandie Sugita (Rossmoor, Calif.) retired eight straight batters heading into the top of the fifth.
Utah Valley loaded the bases but Sugita retired two straight, appearing to get out of the inning unscathed, before Kristy Snyder hit the Wolverines’ first of two grand slams of the game to take the lead. Jaylen Watson followed with a solo home run on the next pitch to give UVU a 5-2 lead in the top of the fifth.
Tiani Hensley and Morgan Smith scored two runs in the sixth on a pair of RBI singles before Snyder and Watson followed suit with their second straight inning with an RBI apiece. Brittney Vansway hit UVU’s second grand slam of the game to give the Wolverines a 13-2 lead.
Timmons would come around to score an unearned run in the bottom of the frame after reaching on a fielder’s choice but the Redhawk rally would fall short, 13-3.
"Offensively, we did a good job creating opportunities with seven hits and six walks," said head coach Dan Powers. "But we hit into four double plays and kept them in the game early. They took advantage of our pitchers' mistakes with the long ball and beat us the last few innings."
Sugita suffered the loss for Seattle U in the circle, giving up five runs on five hits while walking and striking out two batters apiece. Bailey Moore picked up the win allowing two runs on six hits while walking five.
Timmons and Isabella Geronimo (San Mateo, Calif.), a First Team All-WAC selection, led the Redhawks at the plate, each hitting 2-for-3 of SU’s seven hits (UVU recorded 10 over the contest).
Game 2: Seattle U 12, UMKC 5
UMKC took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second with a triple to right center by Marlee Maples and a single up the middle from Caitlin Christopher before Rose Saenz (San Gabriel, Calif.) evened the tally an inning later with a two-out two RBI homer.
Saenz came through with the timely two-run double to break up the tie before Lisa Maulden (Maple Valley, Wash.) singled up the center to give the Redhawks a 5-2 lead in the top of the fifth.
Seattle U would secure the win and increase their lead with a seven-run top of the seventh, highlighted by Geronimo’s second grand slam of the season. Maulden followed with a two-run homer to left center after Hayley Beckstrom (Maple Valley, Wash.) drove in the first run with a single up the middle to score Erika Rodgers (Glendora, Calif.).
UMKC battled back in the bottom of the seventh with a two-RBI home run by Maples as Brooke Parker scored on a fielder’s choice in the previous at bat, but the rally was not enough to overcome the Redhawk lead.
Powers continued, "I'm really proud that we put everything together tonight. Rose had a huge night and our bats got contagious leading to a hit parade. Our pitching staff got out of jams and the defense came through. It was a total team effort tonight."
Sugita picked up her second decision of the day, this time a win, in relief allowing three runs on two hits while walking two and striking out three. Amber Grove suffered the loss for the ‘Roos allowing five runs on 12 hits while walking two and striking out three in the start.
Saenz, Bouska, and Maulden each hit 3-for-5 for the Redhawks as they outhit the Kangaroos, 17-8.