SEATTLE – (March 31) Seattle University softball rallied from a 7-1 deficit before falling, 8-7 in 10 innings, to Utah Valley Saturday afternoon. Bailey Thompson had three hits, including a home run in the marathon Western Athletic Conference (WAC) contest at Logan Field.
“It was a great comeback,” said Coach Geoff Hirai. “We fought hard and showed a lot of heart again. We’ll get back to work and get ready to play Washington Wednesday.”
UVU (9-18, 1-2 WAC) jumped out to a 7-1 lead midway through the game, but the Redhawks (24-16, 2-1 WAC) scored once in the fourth and then broke out in the fifth inning to tie it up. Alyson Matriotti singled on a full count to start the action. Ally Choate did the same to put two on. Madison Cathcart drew a walk to load the bases with no one out. A Maddy Kristjanson groundball ended with everyone safely aboard and a run in. Kaylee Ree followed with a double to left centerfield, bringing two more runs to make it 7-5. After an out, pinch-hitter Savannah Loomis singled to plate Kristjanson and Ree, tying the contest. It marked SU’s third game in four outings with five or more runs in the fifth frame.
With the vistors ahead, 1-0, early, Bailey Thompson homered to open the third. Utah Valley answered with six runs in the top of the fourth, temporarily taking control of the game. A Thompson base hit drove in Cherise Silvan to cut the deficit to 7-2 after four.
Andie Larkins made a relief appearance in the top of the sixth, coming on after UVU put two runners on with no one out. She quickly picked up two outs, and after a single, Larkins punched out Madison Sisco to close the inning.
Larkins continued to dance around trouble as the game wore on, keeping the visitors off the board. Seattle U was unable to take advantage, though, as the contest moved to the 10th frame. UVU finally pushed a run across for an 8-7 edge, and despite a leadoff double by Susanne Morris in the 10th, the Redhawks couldn’t score again.
Thompson went 3-5 with a homer, while Matriotti, Choate, and Morris each added a pair of hits. Larkins threw five innings in relief, giving up just one run on three hits. She struck out four hitters.
SU will play at top-ranked Washington on Wednesday, April 4. First pitch for the single game is set for 5 p.m. at Husky Stadium.