SEATTLE – In an abbreviated 2020 campaign, Seattle University softball put together a record-breaking season and knocked off a nationally-ranked opponent for the second straight year. The Redhawks will now regroup in the wake of COVID-19 and look to stay atop the WAC in 2021.
Facing a daunting schedule, SU opened with losses to three nationally-ranked foes at the Kajikawa Classic, including a pair of one-run setbacks. The Redhawks then traveled to Stanford, knocking off the Cardinal in the first game of a doubleheader before pushing Stanford to 10 innings in a 3-1 loss in the nightcap. Carley Nance was terrific in both games. She earned a save with 2.1 perfect innings of relief to go with two hits at the plate in the first outing and followed with a complete-game effort that kept SU in it for 10 frames.
At the Libby Matson Tournament, SU played three more one-run contests, winning a pair of games. In a 4-3 win over Pacific, Madison Cathcart hit a two-run double in the top of the seventh to lift the Redhawks to victory. A four-run sixth frame pushed SU to a 4-3 win over Nevada the next day, as Olivia Viggiano came through with a go-ahead single.
On Feb. 21, Shi Smith threw the eighth no-hitter in program history and set the school record with 15 strikeouts in a 3-0 win over UC Davis. After hanging with third-ranked Oklahoma in a 2-1 loss, the Redhawks came back with a 3-1 win over No. 18 Missouri, marking their second win over a ranked team in the last two years. Bailey Thompson hit a three-run homer and Nance and Smith teamed up to contain the Tigers across seven innings.
Seattle U followed with three wins at the Mahilhini Kipa Aloha Tournament. In a 6-1 win over Oregon State, Stephanie Merwin hit a home run and drove in four runs. SU then beat Hawai'i, 4-3, as Stefanie Madrigal claimed her first win in the circle. Thompson homered twice and Nance hit a key grand slam in an 8-4 win over Hawai'i the following day.
In what turned out to be the final weekend of the season, SU knocked off Loyola Marymount before nearly taking down No. 11 Oregon in a 3-2, eight-inning loss in Eugene. In a 12-4 win over LMU, Seattle U saw 10 straight hitters reach base in a nine-run second inning that was highlighted by a Grace Dudden grand slam.
For the second straight season, Smith broke her own single-season record for strikeouts per seven innings (9.9). Cathcart led the team with a .407 on-base percentage, including a team-high 11 walks. She set the program's career home run record (38) and RBI record (161) as a Redhawk. Thompson posted four home runs and four doubles to pace the team in extra-base hits, while Viggiano led with five stolen bases.
Facing a daunting schedule, SU opened with losses to three nationally-ranked foes at the Kajikawa Classic, including a pair of one-run setbacks. The Redhawks then traveled to Stanford, knocking off the Cardinal in the first game of a doubleheader before pushing Stanford to 10 innings in a 3-1 loss in the nightcap. Carley Nance was terrific in both games. She earned a save with 2.1 perfect innings of relief to go with two hits at the plate in the first outing and followed with a complete-game effort that kept SU in it for 10 frames.
At the Libby Matson Tournament, SU played three more one-run contests, winning a pair of games. In a 4-3 win over Pacific, Madison Cathcart hit a two-run double in the top of the seventh to lift the Redhawks to victory. A four-run sixth frame pushed SU to a 4-3 win over Nevada the next day, as Olivia Viggiano came through with a go-ahead single.
On Feb. 21, Shi Smith threw the eighth no-hitter in program history and set the school record with 15 strikeouts in a 3-0 win over UC Davis. After hanging with third-ranked Oklahoma in a 2-1 loss, the Redhawks came back with a 3-1 win over No. 18 Missouri, marking their second win over a ranked team in the last two years. Bailey Thompson hit a three-run homer and Nance and Smith teamed up to contain the Tigers across seven innings.
Seattle U followed with three wins at the Mahilhini Kipa Aloha Tournament. In a 6-1 win over Oregon State, Stephanie Merwin hit a home run and drove in four runs. SU then beat Hawai'i, 4-3, as Stefanie Madrigal claimed her first win in the circle. Thompson homered twice and Nance hit a key grand slam in an 8-4 win over Hawai'i the following day.
In what turned out to be the final weekend of the season, SU knocked off Loyola Marymount before nearly taking down No. 11 Oregon in a 3-2, eight-inning loss in Eugene. In a 12-4 win over LMU, Seattle U saw 10 straight hitters reach base in a nine-run second inning that was highlighted by a Grace Dudden grand slam.
For the second straight season, Smith broke her own single-season record for strikeouts per seven innings (9.9). Cathcart led the team with a .407 on-base percentage, including a team-high 11 walks. She set the program's career home run record (38) and RBI record (161) as a Redhawk. Thompson posted four home runs and four doubles to pace the team in extra-base hits, while Viggiano led with five stolen bases.