SEATTLE – (Feb. 6) Seattle University softball returns an experienced lineup and a talented pitching staff in 2018. After getting within three outs of its first-ever Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Championship last season, the Redhawks are determined to cross the finish line in 2018.
Geoff Hirai begins his third season at SU’s head coach. He guided Seattle U to 20 wins in 2017, including the program’s first appearance in the WAC Championship Game. Hirai brings back eight regular starters, including Kaylee Ree, who was named to the WAC’s All-Preseason Team last month. She posted a .508 on-base percentage in WAC play last season.
Andie Larkins enters the new season as the WAC’s Preseason Pitcher of the Year. She set six Division I program records in 2017, earning All-WAC Second Team and then WAC All-Tournament Team recognition after tossing a pair of complete games to lead the Redhawks to the finals.
Sophomores Madison Cathcart and Alyson Matriotti return at the corner infield spots. Matriotti hit .419 in WAC action on her way to All-WAC First Team honors. Cathcart was an All-WAC Second Team choice after starting every game at first base. She led the team with 40 RBIs.
SU was voted to finish third in the WAC Preseason Coaches’ Poll. It tied for third in the regular season standings last year.
The Redhawks begin the regular season at the Kajikawa Classic this weekend. They host Toledo in the 2018 home opener on Tuesday, March 6. SU will play in seven non-conference tournaments, including the Seattle U Invitational March 16-18. Bryant and Portland State will visit Logan Field to play SU three times apiece.
Hirai’s squad opens WAC play on March 30 as Utah Valley comes to Logan Field. The WAC Championship will be held in Las Cruces, New Mexico, May 9-12.