SEATTLE – Seattle University softball fell to New Mexico State, 6-5, Saturday afternoon. Olivia Viggiano tripled twice in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) contest at Logan Field
The visitors got going early, scoring four runs in the top of the first inning. SU (15-15, 2-1 WAC) made sure to keep the Aggies close, though, putting up two runs in its first at-bat Saturday. Viggiano tripled and then with two outs, Madison Cathcart lifted a deep flyball over the fence in the rightfield to cut the Redhawks' deficit in half.
Shi Smith settled in after that, keeping NMSU off the board for the next three frames. She pitched a 1-2-3 second and then struck out a pair in the third. Smith retired two more Aggies via strikeout to get through the fourth.
The SU offense had put runners aboard in the second and third, but bore no fruit from those threats. In the fourth, Stephanie Merwin walked to lead off. With two outs, Alyson Matriotti worked to a full count and placed a single through the right side. Matriotti then stole second. Viggiano found the gap in right center and cruised in for a two-run triple that tied the game at 4.
In the fifth, the Aggies rallied with two runs to go ahead, 6-4. Nance got through the sixth and then after allowing a leadoff single in the seventh, Merwin fielded a groundball, tagged the runner and threw to first for a key double play. Nance closed the frame with a looking strikeout.
Bailey Thompson hit a solo homer in the bottom of the seventh, but the Redhawks could not get another run to extend the game.
Viggiano posted two triples, two RBIs, and a run. Cathcart homered and walked, while Merwin doubled and walked.
The Redhawks head to Utah Valley for three WAC games on April 9-10.
The visitors got going early, scoring four runs in the top of the first inning. SU (15-15, 2-1 WAC) made sure to keep the Aggies close, though, putting up two runs in its first at-bat Saturday. Viggiano tripled and then with two outs, Madison Cathcart lifted a deep flyball over the fence in the rightfield to cut the Redhawks' deficit in half.
Shi Smith settled in after that, keeping NMSU off the board for the next three frames. She pitched a 1-2-3 second and then struck out a pair in the third. Smith retired two more Aggies via strikeout to get through the fourth.
The SU offense had put runners aboard in the second and third, but bore no fruit from those threats. In the fourth, Stephanie Merwin walked to lead off. With two outs, Alyson Matriotti worked to a full count and placed a single through the right side. Matriotti then stole second. Viggiano found the gap in right center and cruised in for a two-run triple that tied the game at 4.
In the fifth, the Aggies rallied with two runs to go ahead, 6-4. Nance got through the sixth and then after allowing a leadoff single in the seventh, Merwin fielded a groundball, tagged the runner and threw to first for a key double play. Nance closed the frame with a looking strikeout.
Bailey Thompson hit a solo homer in the bottom of the seventh, but the Redhawks could not get another run to extend the game.
Viggiano posted two triples, two RBIs, and a run. Cathcart homered and walked, while Merwin doubled and walked.
The Redhawks head to Utah Valley for three WAC games on April 9-10.