TUCSON, Ariz. – Seattle University softball took down Colorado State, 5-3, at the Wildcat Invitational on Friday. The Redhawks also fell at No. 3 Arizona, 9-1, in six innings.
In the win over Colorado State, SU took an early lead. Olivia Viggiano singled to open the game. With one out, Bailey Thompson doubled to left to score a run. Cherise Silvan grounded out to shortstop to drive in another run. The Rams came back with one run in the bottom of the first.
CSU hit a two-run homer to take the lead in the second. After a scoreless third, Silvan sparked a rally with a bunt single to lead off the fourth. Two groundballs moved Silvan over to third and then Stephanie Merwin smashed a two-run shot over the leftfield fence for a 4-3 advantage.
Carley Nance worked around a pair of baserunners to get through the fourth. In the fifth, Nance induced three groundouts. CSU drew two walks in the sixth, but Nance snagged a comebacker to end the threat.
Seattle U added a run in the seventh, as Alyson Matriotti, Viggiano, and Ally Choate each singled to load the bases. Madison Cathcart walked in a run to make it 5-3.
Nance hit the leadoff batter in the bottom of the seventh, but got a strikeout, groundout and flyout to close the contest.
Nance pitched all seven frames, giving up two earned runs while striking out five for her first win of the year. Merwin and Viggiano each posted two hits in the victory.
Stefanie Madrigal had moments of strong work against the third-ranked Wildcats, getting out of a bases-loaded jam in the first with a groundout. Arizona scored two unearned runs in the second.
Sophomore Brooke Milder led off the third inning with a home run to left, pulling SU within 2-1. The hosts replied with a pair of homers in the bottom of the frame, going ahead by four runs. Arizona added three more runs in the fourth and then scored in the sixth to close the contest.
Milder homered, while Viggiano, Choate, and Nance each tallied a hit.
Seattle U concludes its Arizona trip with a single game on Saturday morning. It will face Oregon State with first pitch slated for 8 a.m. Pacific (9 a.m. Mountain).
In the win over Colorado State, SU took an early lead. Olivia Viggiano singled to open the game. With one out, Bailey Thompson doubled to left to score a run. Cherise Silvan grounded out to shortstop to drive in another run. The Rams came back with one run in the bottom of the first.
CSU hit a two-run homer to take the lead in the second. After a scoreless third, Silvan sparked a rally with a bunt single to lead off the fourth. Two groundballs moved Silvan over to third and then Stephanie Merwin smashed a two-run shot over the leftfield fence for a 4-3 advantage.
Carley Nance worked around a pair of baserunners to get through the fourth. In the fifth, Nance induced three groundouts. CSU drew two walks in the sixth, but Nance snagged a comebacker to end the threat.
Seattle U added a run in the seventh, as Alyson Matriotti, Viggiano, and Ally Choate each singled to load the bases. Madison Cathcart walked in a run to make it 5-3.
Nance hit the leadoff batter in the bottom of the seventh, but got a strikeout, groundout and flyout to close the contest.
Nance pitched all seven frames, giving up two earned runs while striking out five for her first win of the year. Merwin and Viggiano each posted two hits in the victory.
Stefanie Madrigal had moments of strong work against the third-ranked Wildcats, getting out of a bases-loaded jam in the first with a groundout. Arizona scored two unearned runs in the second.
Sophomore Brooke Milder led off the third inning with a home run to left, pulling SU within 2-1. The hosts replied with a pair of homers in the bottom of the frame, going ahead by four runs. Arizona added three more runs in the fourth and then scored in the sixth to close the contest.
Milder homered, while Viggiano, Choate, and Nance each tallied a hit.
Seattle U concludes its Arizona trip with a single game on Saturday morning. It will face Oregon State with first pitch slated for 8 a.m. Pacific (9 a.m. Mountain).