After completing an eight-game road trip, Seattle U returns to the friendly confines of Bannerwood Park this weekend to host Western Athletic Conference leader California Baptist. This will be the second-ever weekend series between the two teams after their inaugural meeting in 2019. The Redhawks trail the series 2-1.
SERIES INFO
Friday, Apr. 30 – 4 pm PT • Watch / Stats
Saturday, May 1 (G1) – 11 am PT • Watch / Stats
Saturday, May 1 (G2) – Approx. 1:30 pm PT • Watch / Stats
Sunday, May 2 – 10 am PT • Watch / Stats
PITCHING MATCHUPS
Friday – SU: Morgan White, RHP (1-1, 2.95 ERA, 39.2 IP) vs CBU: Chris Burica, LHP (6-3, 2.43 ERA, 70.1 IP)
Saturday (G1) – SU: Alex Jemal, RHP (2-6, 3.33 ERA, 51.1 IP) vs CBU: Bryan Pope, RHP (5-4, 4.13 ERA, 56.2 IP)
Saturday (G2) – SU: Peter Chronowski, LHP (2-2, 2.97 ERA, 36.1 IP) vs CBU: Drew Necochea, RHP (3-0, 2.97 ERA, 30.1 IP)
Sunday – TBA vs TBA
LAST TIME OUT
Seattle U closed its roadtrip with a disappointing series at UT Rio Grand Valley last weekend, dropping all four games to the Vaqueros. Kai Alberghini had a notable weekend as he went 3-for-8 (.375) at the plate and made his first career start in right field. Shane Jamison also had a standout series, going 4-for-11 (.364). The Redhawks offense however was out hit, 49-29, while the pitching staff struggled with a combined 8.04 ERA.
WAC WEEKLY ACCOLADES
On April 19, following a stellar performance against Sacramento State, sophomore left-hander Peter Chronowski was named WAC Pitcher of the Week for the first time in his career.
START ME UP
Since the end of the 2019 season, Julian Kodama has started 52 consecutive games, the longest active among the team. During that stretch, the junior infielder has started 46 games at third, with 16 appearances at second and nine in left field.
THREE UP, THREE DOWN
» The Redhawks held Sacramento State scoreless for26 consecutive innings during their Apr. 16-18 series. The scoreless streak is a program-best since its 2010 rebirth.
» Seattle U entered the series with 5-4 record at Bannerwood Park this season. During that nine-game stretch, the Redhawks have outscored visitors, 31-28, and are 63-for-269 (.234) at the plate while opponents are hitting .219 (63-for-288).
» The Redhawks began the week with as the WAC leader in earned run average (4.07) and shared the lead in shutouts (3). Seattle U is also second in the WAC in stolen bases (33).
NOTABLE NUMBERS
6 – Home runs by Justin Mazzone who leads the team in this category and is tied-seventh on the conference leaderboard.
13 –Stolen bases by WAC leader Gavin Rork.
148 – The NCAA RPI ranking as of Apr. 26 for Seattle U, which fourth-highest among WAC schools.
593 – The number of baseball games Seattle U has played since the start of the 2010 season, when the program returned after a 20-plus year absence.
HEALTH & SAFETY
Due to COVID protocols, the Redhawks have postponed or canceled five games this season, including their March 11-12 neutral dates with Washington State (postponed) and their April 1-3 series with Northern Colorado (canceled).
IN THE CLASSROOM
With an emphasizes on developing the whole person Seattle U baseball has seen notable success in the classroom.
» The team posted a 3.231 GPA in Winter Quarter 2021.
» With a team GPA of 3.304, the Redhawks was named to the ABCA Team Academic Excellence Award in 2020.
» The Redhawks had 15 players earn All-WAC Academic honors in 2020.
AWARD WATCH LIST
Fifth-year senior Austin Lively began the season listed among the nation's top hitters as he was included on the 2021 Bragan Slugger Watch List for second consecutive season. Senior Justin Mazzone was named to the Buster Posey Catcher of the Award Watch List for a second time in as many years. He was joined by Conrado Diaz from UTRGV and Utah Valley's Drew Sims in representing the WAC.
KODAMA, O'BRIEN PRESEASON PICKS
Junior Julian Kodama and senior Connor O'Brien were each named to the Preseason All-WAC Team. It was the first time either received all-conference honors. Kodama was also a preseason all-conference pick by Perfect Game.
DIAMOND MASTERS
Head coach Donny Harrel brings back 26 players from 2020. Among the familiar faces are Seattle U Class of 2020 graduates Austin Lively and Chase Wells, who opted to use the extra season of eligibility granted by the NCAA. Also making the most of the extra season is transfer Lucas Ford, who comes over from Charleston Southern where he spent the 2019 and 2020 campaigns after a two-year stint at Edmonds CC. Academically, the trio are working towards Master's Degree with Lively and Wells part of the Sports Business Leadership program, while Ford is studying Social and Human Sciences.
THE MAN IN CHARGE
The 2021 campaign of Seattle U baseball is the 12th season for head coach Donny Harrel who was named the lead architect for the program's rebuild in June 2008. Since being announced, Harrel has become the program's longest-tenured coach and all-time leader is games coached (593). He also began the week with the WAC's second-longest active tenure for a head coach and was third-overall in games coached, all since 2010.
#PROREDHAWKS
» Former Redhawk pitchers Tarik Skubal (DET) and Eric Yardley (MIL) each made the 2021 Opening Day roster for their respective teams.
» In the Summer of 2020, six former Redhawks were active in professional baseball, with five who were affiliated with a Major League team.