2017 SCHEDULE
SEATTLE (Feb. 7) – As a coach makes his mark on a program, the team begins to reflect the personality of the coach. With a solid mix of veterans and new contributors, second-year Coach Geoff Hirai hopes Seattle University softball continues to build towards daily competition and a spot near the top of the conference standings in 2017.
“Preseason has been going great,” said Hirai. “The team is understanding what the culture is now. I think they’re buying into what we’re saying.”
In 2016, Hirai began the process of building the program into a consistent contender in the WAC. SU won 19 games, making a run to the WAC Tournament semifinals to close the season.
A position-by-position breakdown-
Pitching
Andie Larkins, Alyssa Reuble, Lindsay Davis, and Savannah Loomis return in the circle for 2017. Larkins led the team with 12 wins, making 29 starts as a freshman. Reuble, a senior and a team captain, posted a team-leading 3.60 ERA in 32 appearances.
“We have really good depth with a lot of experience,” said Hirai.
Catcher
Sara Dominguez, now a junior and a team captain, made 21 starts behind the plate in 2016 and will share time with junior transfer Susanne Morris this season.
“Susanne and Sara are our 1-2 punch,” said Hirai. “We have 56 games, so we’re definitely going to use both of them behind the plate. They work really well together and with the pitchers.”
First Base
Freshman Madison Cathcart has established herself with a strong preseason at SU. The native of Longview, Washington, was named all-league every year of her career at R.A. Long High.
“Madison will be a middle of the lineup mainstay for us,” said Hirai. “She’s very strong offensively and defensively.”
Second Base
After playing third base last season, sophomore Kaylee Ree has moved to second for the 2017 campaign. She started all 52 games in 2016, hitting .288 and tying for the team lead in steals. Freshman Alyson Matriotti will also see time for the Redhawks.
“Kaylee had a good freshman year and I expect her to have a breakout year this season,” said Hirai.
Third Base
Junior Breanna Timmons and freshman Jessica Flanagan are competing for time at third. Timmons made 45 starts for the Redhawks last year, tallying five doubles. Flanagan earned all-conference recognition four times in her career at Woodland (Wash.) High.
“We have a good battle going at third,” said Hirai. “We have good depth there.”
Shortstop
Junior Maddy Kristjanson returns as the starting shortstop. She started all 52 contests last season, leading the team with four home runs.
“Maddy is one of our captains,” said Hirai. “She’s a vocal leader and a mainstay for us.”
Left Field
Paige Bouska, a 2017 Preseason All-WAC selection, is back to play left field for the Redhawks in 2017. The senior led Seattle U in batting (.356), hits (68), runs (30), and total bases (77) last year. She earned 2016 Second Team All-WAC honors.
“Paige is our most consistent hitter and she’ll be at the top of the lineup,” said Hirai. “She works really hard.”
Center Field
This spot will see a battle between several Redhawks entering the campaign. Senior Kayla Gonzales, juniors Nicole Bolasky and Erika Rodgers, and freshmen Cherise Silvan and Matriotti will each see time early in the season. Rodgers appeared in 40 games last year and Gonzales played in 33 contests. Bolasky is a junior transfer from Lower Columbia College, where she recorded a .473 batting average and stole 69 bases in 2016. Silvan batted .610 with 51 stolen bases as a senior at Vista Del Lago High in Folsom, California.
“We have a competition going in center,” said Hirai. “It’s going to be a battle and we’ll see who steps up and takes that job.”
Right Field
Megan Ottino, a senior, is set to start in right field in 2017. She made 21 starts last season, smashing a pair of home runs. Gonzales will also be in the mix in right.
“Megan is consistently hitting with power,” said Hirai. “Kayla will also be a factor for us. If you hit, you play.”
Designated Player
Savannah Loomis, a junior, will see regular time at the DP spot. Last season, she batted .289 in 23 games. Sophomore Emma Mitchell is another expected contributor for SU.
“Savannah has been crushing the ball for us,” said Hirai.
Schedule
SU opens its 2017 schedule at the Kajikawa Classic, hosted by Arizona State. It will play five games, including a date with nationally-ranked Oregon on Feb. 11. After two weekend trips to California, the Redhawks will head to Hawaii March 3-5 for five contests.
On March 8, Seattle U hosts Penn State in the home opener at Logan Field. That weekend, the Redhawks will compete in the Husky Classic, hosted by the University of Washington. There, SU will take on national power Minnesota twice and face UW, another ranked foe, on March 12. After a trip to Montana, SU travels to Santa Barbara to close out its non-conference slate.
“We have a great non-conference schedule,” said Hirai. “Playing some ranked teams will give us a gauge of where we’re at.”
SU will have a challenging start to league action, as it opens with the co-favorites in the WAC preseason poll. On March 31, the Redhawks open WAC play with a doubleheader at Grand Canyon. The following weekend, Seattle U welcomes New Mexico State for a three-game series at Logan Field. Hirai’s squad visits Utah Valley and UMKC in mid-April and then closes the regular season with a three-game home stand against CSU Bakersfield on April 28-29.
“The WAC is a good conference and I think we can compete in the conference,” said Hirai.
“Any time someone plays Seattle University, the other team is going to know we will fight,” said Hirai. “It’s a close team and I’m proud of how this team has each others’ backs.”