Redhawks Return to Santa Clara
2016 marks the third straight season that the Redhawks have traveled to Santa Clara for a non-conference tournament, including in 2013-14 when Seattle U went 5-0 at the Santa Clara Marriott Invitational, defeating Boston University (twice), Santa Clara (twice), and UC Davis (Feb. 28-Mar. 2, 2014). In this year’s Bronco Classic, Seattle U will face Idaho State, CSU Fullerton, and Santa Clara. Live stats links for all contests are listed on the schedule page at GoSeattleU.com.
WAC Tournament Returns to Seattle
Seattle University will play host to the 2016 Western Athletic Conference tournament in May (12-14) for the second time in three seasons. The Redhawks last hosted the tournament in 2014, a tournament which featured an eight-hour rain delay on day one.
New in Town
Geoff Hirai starts his first season at the helm of the Redhawk team after most recently serving as associate head coach for Oregon State. Hirai also previously has experience on the coaching staffs at Virginia and Washington. See page four for more info on Hirai. After re-joining the Redhawk staff in 2014, assistant coach Brandi Gordon remains on staff, starting her third season back at Seattle U. Mariah Dawson joins the Redhawks as pitching coach.
Scouting Idaho State (0-5): Idaho State opened the weekend at fellow WAC foe Grand Canyon’s tournament, facing Grand Canyon and LMU. Dara Kolar leads the team at the plate through the first five games (.600, 6-10) with a 1.200 slg% and a .667 ob%. Junior outfielder Kacie Burnett was named to the 2016 USA Softball Top 50 Watch List, announced by the ASA and USA Softball. The Bengals were picked to finish second in the Big Sky Conference behind Weber State.
Scouting CSU Fullerton (4-1): The Titans had a successful opening weekend, winning two run-rule contests vs. UTSA and Canisius and dropping only one game to Big Sky favorite, Weber State before defeating WSU in the weekend finale. Among starters, Missy Taukeiaho led CSU Fullerton at the plate (.462, 6-13) with five runs, four doubles, five RBI, and one home run. A two-time All-American, Taukeiaho was named to the USA Softball Player of the Year Top 50 Watch List. The Titans return 19 letterwinners, including seven starters, and welcome back all five members of the pitching staff. CSU Fullerton were picked to finish second, receiving one first place vote, in the Big West Conference preseason poll behind Long Beach State.
Scouting Santa Clara (1-3): The host Broncos won their season opener vs. Sacramento State before dropping their second contest to Sac State as well as single games vs. UC Davis and Montana. Among starters, Ellie Fisher led the Broncos at the plate last weekend (.286, 4-14). Casandra Padilla and Fisher were named to the All-WCC Preseason Softball Team and were picked to finish sixth of six in the WCC preseason poll.
2016 marks the third straight season that the Redhawks have traveled to Santa Clara for a non-conference tournament, including in 2013-14 when Seattle U went 5-0 at the Santa Clara Marriott Invitational, defeating Boston University (twice), Santa Clara (twice), and UC Davis (Feb. 28-Mar. 2, 2014). In this year’s Bronco Classic, Seattle U will face Idaho State, CSU Fullerton, and Santa Clara. Live stats links for all contests are listed on the schedule page at GoSeattleU.com.
WAC Tournament Returns to Seattle
Seattle University will play host to the 2016 Western Athletic Conference tournament in May (12-14) for the second time in three seasons. The Redhawks last hosted the tournament in 2014, a tournament which featured an eight-hour rain delay on day one.
New in Town
Geoff Hirai starts his first season at the helm of the Redhawk team after most recently serving as associate head coach for Oregon State. Hirai also previously has experience on the coaching staffs at Virginia and Washington. See page four for more info on Hirai. After re-joining the Redhawk staff in 2014, assistant coach Brandi Gordon remains on staff, starting her third season back at Seattle U. Mariah Dawson joins the Redhawks as pitching coach.
Scouting Idaho State (0-5): Idaho State opened the weekend at fellow WAC foe Grand Canyon’s tournament, facing Grand Canyon and LMU. Dara Kolar leads the team at the plate through the first five games (.600, 6-10) with a 1.200 slg% and a .667 ob%. Junior outfielder Kacie Burnett was named to the 2016 USA Softball Top 50 Watch List, announced by the ASA and USA Softball. The Bengals were picked to finish second in the Big Sky Conference behind Weber State.
Scouting CSU Fullerton (4-1): The Titans had a successful opening weekend, winning two run-rule contests vs. UTSA and Canisius and dropping only one game to Big Sky favorite, Weber State before defeating WSU in the weekend finale. Among starters, Missy Taukeiaho led CSU Fullerton at the plate (.462, 6-13) with five runs, four doubles, five RBI, and one home run. A two-time All-American, Taukeiaho was named to the USA Softball Player of the Year Top 50 Watch List. The Titans return 19 letterwinners, including seven starters, and welcome back all five members of the pitching staff. CSU Fullerton were picked to finish second, receiving one first place vote, in the Big West Conference preseason poll behind Long Beach State.
Scouting Santa Clara (1-3): The host Broncos won their season opener vs. Sacramento State before dropping their second contest to Sac State as well as single games vs. UC Davis and Montana. Among starters, Ellie Fisher led the Broncos at the plate last weekend (.286, 4-14). Casandra Padilla and Fisher were named to the All-WCC Preseason Softball Team and were picked to finish sixth of six in the WCC preseason poll.