HONOLULU, HAWAI'I – Seattle University softball won two games at the Mahilhini Kipa Aloha Tournament on Saturday, beating Oregon State, 6-1, and then taking down Hawai'i, 4-3.
Stephanie Merwin keyed the Redhawks' win over OSU, homering and driving in four runs. Shi Smith threw a complete game to contain the Beavers' attack.
Smith announced her presence early by striking out the side in the first inning. She logged another K to end the second frame. In the bottom of the second, Merwin smashed a homer over the wall in left field for a 1-0 lead.
Oregon State strung together a pair of hits in the third, but Smith struck out two Beavers to get out of the inning.
With one out in the bottom of the third, Ally Choate singled on the infield. After another out, Bailey Thompson hit a single to put Redhawks at first and second. Cherise Silvan followed with a base hit to load the bases. Merwin came through with a bases-clearing triple to left center, giving her side a 4-0 advantage.
Smith worked 1-2-3 innings in the fourth and fifth. Two Beaver errors set up an SU run in the fifth, as Silvan came in to score on an error by the OSU pitcher.
Having retired 11 straight heading into the seventh frame, Smith looked to shut out the Beavers. OSU homered to get on the board, though. Smith quickly replied with a flyout, a strikeout, and popup to close out the victory.
Merwin went 2-3 with four RBIs, while Silvan posted a two-hit, two-run outing. Smith went all seven innings, giving up just one run on four hits. She recorded 10 strikeouts for her third double-digit K performance of the season.
In the nightcap, Stefanie Madrigal got the start in the circle. The freshman allowed a run in the first inning, but settled in, striking out six across four innings.
SU put together a three-run fourth inning to take control of the contest. Choate singled and Madison Cathcart followed with a double. Thompson brought in both runs with a single up the middle for a 2-1 advantage. With one out, Merwin hit a sacrifice fly to left, bringing in another run.
Carley Nance came on in relief for the fifth and worked around a one-out double. In the top of the sixth, the Redhawks added an insurance run, as Nance hit a sac fly to plate Cathcart, who had singled to lead off the frame.
Hawai'i struck a two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth to get within a run. After SU went down in its half of the seventh, Shi Smith took the ball in search of her third save of the year. The junior earned two flyouts and a strikeout to work around a hit batter as the Redhawks swept their Saturday.
Madrigal got her first win at SU with her four innings of two-hit pitching. Smith claimed the save with her scoreless frame. Cathcart went 2-2 with a walk and a run scored.
SU wraps up action on the island with a single game against Hawai'i on Sunday. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. Pacific (2 p.m. Hawaiian).
Stephanie Merwin keyed the Redhawks' win over OSU, homering and driving in four runs. Shi Smith threw a complete game to contain the Beavers' attack.
Smith announced her presence early by striking out the side in the first inning. She logged another K to end the second frame. In the bottom of the second, Merwin smashed a homer over the wall in left field for a 1-0 lead.
Oregon State strung together a pair of hits in the third, but Smith struck out two Beavers to get out of the inning.
With one out in the bottom of the third, Ally Choate singled on the infield. After another out, Bailey Thompson hit a single to put Redhawks at first and second. Cherise Silvan followed with a base hit to load the bases. Merwin came through with a bases-clearing triple to left center, giving her side a 4-0 advantage.
Smith worked 1-2-3 innings in the fourth and fifth. Two Beaver errors set up an SU run in the fifth, as Silvan came in to score on an error by the OSU pitcher.
Having retired 11 straight heading into the seventh frame, Smith looked to shut out the Beavers. OSU homered to get on the board, though. Smith quickly replied with a flyout, a strikeout, and popup to close out the victory.
Merwin went 2-3 with four RBIs, while Silvan posted a two-hit, two-run outing. Smith went all seven innings, giving up just one run on four hits. She recorded 10 strikeouts for her third double-digit K performance of the season.
In the nightcap, Stefanie Madrigal got the start in the circle. The freshman allowed a run in the first inning, but settled in, striking out six across four innings.
SU put together a three-run fourth inning to take control of the contest. Choate singled and Madison Cathcart followed with a double. Thompson brought in both runs with a single up the middle for a 2-1 advantage. With one out, Merwin hit a sacrifice fly to left, bringing in another run.
Carley Nance came on in relief for the fifth and worked around a one-out double. In the top of the sixth, the Redhawks added an insurance run, as Nance hit a sac fly to plate Cathcart, who had singled to lead off the frame.
Hawai'i struck a two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth to get within a run. After SU went down in its half of the seventh, Shi Smith took the ball in search of her third save of the year. The junior earned two flyouts and a strikeout to work around a hit batter as the Redhawks swept their Saturday.
Madrigal got her first win at SU with her four innings of two-hit pitching. Smith claimed the save with her scoreless frame. Cathcart went 2-2 with a walk and a run scored.
SU wraps up action on the island with a single game against Hawai'i on Sunday. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. Pacific (2 p.m. Hawaiian).