MISSOULA, Mont. – Seattle University softball rallied late at Montana on Friday afternoon, but the Grizzlies walked off with a win to wrap a three-game set. Cherise Silvan led the offense with three hits and a run.
Ally Choate tripled and Madison Cathcart singled to give SU a quick lead in the top of the first. Montana answered with a grand slam in its half of the first, gaining control with a 4-1 lead.
In the third, Cathcart was hit by a pitch to start a rally. With one out, Silvan singled to left and then Stephanie Merwin drilled a double to right, driving in both runs to make it a one-run difference. The hosts came up with two runs in the bottom of the fourth, taking a 6-3 advantage after four innings.
Thompson was hit by a pitch to open the fifth. Silvan singled on the infield and Kamryn Coleman lofted a sacrifice fly to left to score Thompson and cut into the deficit. Carley Nance pitched in relief and struck out two Grizzlies to push the game to the sixth frame.
SU loaded the bases in the sixth, but left them stranded. Nance worked around two hits to keep the hosts off the scoreboard in the bottom of the inning.
Merwin walked to lead off the top of the seventh. Nance followed with a walk and Brooke Milder put down a successful sacrifice bunt to advance the runners. Alyson Matriotti then drove in a run with an RBI groundout. Olivia Viggiano worked to a full count and came through with an RBI single to left center, scoring Nance to tie the game at 6. The Grizzlies replied with the winning run in the bottom of the frame.
Silvan went 3-4 with a run scored. Cathcart recorded two hits and was hit by a pitch.
Seattle U opens WAC play next weekend, as New Mexico State visits Logan Field for a three-game series. The teams will play a doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m. on Friday, Mar. 26.
Ally Choate tripled and Madison Cathcart singled to give SU a quick lead in the top of the first. Montana answered with a grand slam in its half of the first, gaining control with a 4-1 lead.
In the third, Cathcart was hit by a pitch to start a rally. With one out, Silvan singled to left and then Stephanie Merwin drilled a double to right, driving in both runs to make it a one-run difference. The hosts came up with two runs in the bottom of the fourth, taking a 6-3 advantage after four innings.
Thompson was hit by a pitch to open the fifth. Silvan singled on the infield and Kamryn Coleman lofted a sacrifice fly to left to score Thompson and cut into the deficit. Carley Nance pitched in relief and struck out two Grizzlies to push the game to the sixth frame.
SU loaded the bases in the sixth, but left them stranded. Nance worked around two hits to keep the hosts off the scoreboard in the bottom of the inning.
Merwin walked to lead off the top of the seventh. Nance followed with a walk and Brooke Milder put down a successful sacrifice bunt to advance the runners. Alyson Matriotti then drove in a run with an RBI groundout. Olivia Viggiano worked to a full count and came through with an RBI single to left center, scoring Nance to tie the game at 6. The Grizzlies replied with the winning run in the bottom of the frame.
Silvan went 3-4 with a run scored. Cathcart recorded two hits and was hit by a pitch.
Seattle U opens WAC play next weekend, as New Mexico State visits Logan Field for a three-game series. The teams will play a doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m. on Friday, Mar. 26.