RIVERSIDE, Calif. — The Seattle U offense was clicking early in often on Wednesday as the Redhawks outhit UC Riverside, 14-4, en route to a decisive 7-1 victory. The Redhawks (2-2) were led by Connor O'Brien who finished with a career-best four-hit day, including a triple, while scoring twice and driving in one.
Justin Mazzone and Matt Boissoneault also notched multi-hit outings. Mazzone went 3-for-4 with a walk, while Boissoneault was 2-for-5, both Redhawks scored and drove in a run.
Seattle U starter Josh Thompson (1-0) rebounded nicely after his brief season debut, working 4.0 hitless-innings with no hits against and two strikeouts. A platoon of Redhawk relievers worked the balance combining for one run on four hits.
After reaching on a lead-off walk, Gavin Rork tallied the game's first run early in the first frame. Mazzone then belted a hard hit two-out single to left to score O'Brien for a 2-0 lead.
Nolan Jekich then registered a RBI double scoring O'Brien in the third, before Boissoneault drove in Mazzone in the fourth, stretching the margin to 4-0.
Seattle U tacked on two more runs in the sixth with Boissoneault and Trevor Antonson each touching home, before Dylan Gerard then accounted for the Redhawks' seventh and final run in the ninth.
The Highlanders managed to erase the shutout in the sixth as they got to reliever Kohl Petersen early in his Seattle U debut. After allowing one run on two hits though, Petersen settled in nicely getting the next three UC Riverside batters out.
Despite a brief appearance, UC Riverside starter Kevin West was dealt the loss, after tossing 2.0 innings that saw him surrender two runs on hits.
Seattle U continues its southern California road trip on Friday as it opens the Tony Gwynn Legacy Classic against PAC-12 power USC. First pitch with the Trojans is slated for 1 pm with the game hosted by San Deigo State and played at Tony Gwynn Stadium.