TEMPE, Ariz. – Seattle University softball dropped its first two games of the 2021 season on Friday at the Kajikawa Classic, hosted by Arizona State. SU fell, 2-1, to Utah, and then 9-1 to No. 16 ASU. Madison Cathcart tied the Seattle U career record for RBIs in the nightcap.
"We're learning our identity," said SU Coach Geoff Hirai. "We'll come back better tomorrow."
In the opener against the Utes, SU fell behind, 1-0, in the first inning. Ally Choate singled for the Redhawks in the first, but the offense was unable to produce otherwise in the early frames.
Shi Smith settled in the circle after a Utah solo home run in the third. Smith followed by retiring 11 straight batters to keep the Utes at bay.
In the fourth, Olivia Viggiano and Bailey Thompson both singled, but Seattle U couldn't find the scoring hit. Cherise Silvan hit a bunt single and then stole second base in the fifth, but the Redhawks were unable to bring her in.
SU put together a rally in the sixth, as Viggiano reached on an error to lead off the inning. With two outs, Thompson singled and then the runners moved ahead a base on a wild pitch. Carley Nance was hit by a pitch to load the bases and Stephanie Merwin was also hit, plating Viggiano to make it 2-1. Silvan flied out to end the frame, though.
Utah tallied two singles in the seventh, but Smith escaped by getting a groundout and a flyout to send the game to the bottom of the seventh. The Redhawks got two runners on, but the Utes closed the game and pulled out the one-run decision.
Smith tossed a complete game, striking out seven. Thompson led the offense with a pair of singles.
The Sun Devils jumped out to a 4-0 lead after the first inning and then tacked on five more runs in the second, taking control of the contest.
In the third inning, Alyson Matriotti lashed a double to the rightfield wall and then Choate singled. Cathcart lifted a flyball to center, driving in Matriotti with a sacrifice fly. The RBI gave Cathcart 162 for her SU career, tying Jane Purdy for the all-time program record.
Stefanie Madrigal and Kamryn Coleman combined to pitch for the Redhawks, while freshmen Virginia Nemeth, Brooke Jordan, and Jasmine Wehn made their SU debuts.
SU plays two games tomorrow, taking on BYU and Utah on Saturday afternoon.
"We're learning our identity," said SU Coach Geoff Hirai. "We'll come back better tomorrow."
In the opener against the Utes, SU fell behind, 1-0, in the first inning. Ally Choate singled for the Redhawks in the first, but the offense was unable to produce otherwise in the early frames.
Shi Smith settled in the circle after a Utah solo home run in the third. Smith followed by retiring 11 straight batters to keep the Utes at bay.
In the fourth, Olivia Viggiano and Bailey Thompson both singled, but Seattle U couldn't find the scoring hit. Cherise Silvan hit a bunt single and then stole second base in the fifth, but the Redhawks were unable to bring her in.
SU put together a rally in the sixth, as Viggiano reached on an error to lead off the inning. With two outs, Thompson singled and then the runners moved ahead a base on a wild pitch. Carley Nance was hit by a pitch to load the bases and Stephanie Merwin was also hit, plating Viggiano to make it 2-1. Silvan flied out to end the frame, though.
Utah tallied two singles in the seventh, but Smith escaped by getting a groundout and a flyout to send the game to the bottom of the seventh. The Redhawks got two runners on, but the Utes closed the game and pulled out the one-run decision.
Smith tossed a complete game, striking out seven. Thompson led the offense with a pair of singles.
The Sun Devils jumped out to a 4-0 lead after the first inning and then tacked on five more runs in the second, taking control of the contest.
In the third inning, Alyson Matriotti lashed a double to the rightfield wall and then Choate singled. Cathcart lifted a flyball to center, driving in Matriotti with a sacrifice fly. The RBI gave Cathcart 162 for her SU career, tying Jane Purdy for the all-time program record.
Stefanie Madrigal and Kamryn Coleman combined to pitch for the Redhawks, while freshmen Virginia Nemeth, Brooke Jordan, and Jasmine Wehn made their SU debuts.
SU plays two games tomorrow, taking on BYU and Utah on Saturday afternoon.