TEMPE, Arizona – Seattle University softball tested two nationally-ranked opponents at the Kajikawa Classic Friday, but came away with a pair of one-run losses. In a 1-0 defeat to No. 14 Northwestern, Shi Smith set a program record with 13 strikeouts and then Madison Cathcart hit her 37th career home run to tie the all-time school record in a 4-3 decision with fifth-ranked Arizona.
Against Northwestern, Smith was electric in a record-setting performance. The junior tallied at least two strikeouts in six of her seven innings of work. She allowed just four hits to go with two hit batters, walking none on the day.
Smith struck out 12 batters against CSU Bakersfield on April 20, 2019, at Logan Field. That tied Erin Martin's school record, set on April 24, 2007, against Saint Martin's.
Smith, a native of Gresham, Ore., hit the first batter of the game. She followed by retiring 10 straight Wildcats, striking out seven in the stretch. Smith hit another batter and then Northwestern doubled to take a 1-0 lead in the fourth.
In the top of the seventh, Smith recorded two more strikeouts before earning a flyout to send SU to the plate with a chance to tie. With one out, Carley Nance singled through the right side. Brooke Milder came on as a pinch-runner. The freshman stole second and the throw got away from the Wildcats, allowing Milder to take third. After an out, Stephanie Merwin was hit by a pitch, putting a Redhawk at first and third. Merwin then stole second, but SU was unable to get a tying hit as Northwestern pulled out the victory.
Nance and Cathcart each had a hit in the game.
In the nightcap, Arizona put three runs on the board in the top of the second to gain early control. Nance settled in after that, though, locking down the Wildcat offense with three straight scoreless frames. In the bottom of the fourth, Cathcart smashed a solo homer to right field to cut into the deficit. Nance walked and Cherise Silvan singled, but Arizona escaped with no further damage.
In the bottom of the fifth, Lily Garcia singled on the infield and then Alyson Matriotti hit a bunt single. Mekenzie Madokoro's sacrifice bunt put runners at second and third with one out. Ally Choate connected with a base hit to center, driving in both runs to even the game at 3.
Arizona scored in the seventh to regain the lead. Alyson Matriotti singled and Cathcart was intentionally walked to put two on, but SU couldn't push across the equalizer.
Cathcart now has 37 home runs in her SU career, tied with Jane Purdy for most in program history. Cathcart already owns Redhawk all-time records for doubles (46), walks (109), and putouts (1,308).
Nance threw a complete game, striking out 10 to tie her career high. She also struck out 10 hitters on Feb. 10, 2018, against Western Michigan. Choate and Matriotti both had two hits in the contest.
SU continues play at Arizona State tomorrow. It takes on Kansas at 3 p.m. Pacific (4 p.m. Mountain).
Against Northwestern, Smith was electric in a record-setting performance. The junior tallied at least two strikeouts in six of her seven innings of work. She allowed just four hits to go with two hit batters, walking none on the day.
Smith struck out 12 batters against CSU Bakersfield on April 20, 2019, at Logan Field. That tied Erin Martin's school record, set on April 24, 2007, against Saint Martin's.
Smith, a native of Gresham, Ore., hit the first batter of the game. She followed by retiring 10 straight Wildcats, striking out seven in the stretch. Smith hit another batter and then Northwestern doubled to take a 1-0 lead in the fourth.
In the top of the seventh, Smith recorded two more strikeouts before earning a flyout to send SU to the plate with a chance to tie. With one out, Carley Nance singled through the right side. Brooke Milder came on as a pinch-runner. The freshman stole second and the throw got away from the Wildcats, allowing Milder to take third. After an out, Stephanie Merwin was hit by a pitch, putting a Redhawk at first and third. Merwin then stole second, but SU was unable to get a tying hit as Northwestern pulled out the victory.
Nance and Cathcart each had a hit in the game.
In the nightcap, Arizona put three runs on the board in the top of the second to gain early control. Nance settled in after that, though, locking down the Wildcat offense with three straight scoreless frames. In the bottom of the fourth, Cathcart smashed a solo homer to right field to cut into the deficit. Nance walked and Cherise Silvan singled, but Arizona escaped with no further damage.
In the bottom of the fifth, Lily Garcia singled on the infield and then Alyson Matriotti hit a bunt single. Mekenzie Madokoro's sacrifice bunt put runners at second and third with one out. Ally Choate connected with a base hit to center, driving in both runs to even the game at 3.
Arizona scored in the seventh to regain the lead. Alyson Matriotti singled and Cathcart was intentionally walked to put two on, but SU couldn't push across the equalizer.
Cathcart now has 37 home runs in her SU career, tied with Jane Purdy for most in program history. Cathcart already owns Redhawk all-time records for doubles (46), walks (109), and putouts (1,308).
Nance threw a complete game, striking out 10 to tie her career high. She also struck out 10 hitters on Feb. 10, 2018, against Western Michigan. Choate and Matriotti both had two hits in the contest.
SU continues play at Arizona State tomorrow. It takes on Kansas at 3 p.m. Pacific (4 p.m. Mountain).