Seattle U returns to action with a single mid-week tilt on Wednesday as it wrap up its season series with Washington State in Pullman. This will be the fourth meeting of 2021 between the two clubs, after locking up for a three-game set March 5-7. The Redhawks are 1-2 in the season series.
GAME INFO
Seattle U at Washington State
Time: Wednesday, May 5 • 6 pm PT
Where: Bailey-Brayton Field • Pullman, Wash.
Follow: Watch (PAC-12+) / Live Stats / Listen (WSU broadcast)
LAST TIME WE MET... WASHINGTON STATE
In their last trip to Pullman, Seattle U won the rubber match against Washington State, 6-2, after dropping the first two games of the series. Right-hander Morgan White was credited with the result after scattering two hits over five-scoreless innings with four strikeouts. The Redhawks bats meanwhile outhit WSU in third game, 12-6.
START ME UP
Julian Kodama has started 54-straight games, dating back since 2020, which is the team's longest active streak. During that stretch, the junior infielder has started 46 games at third base.
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 began the week with 8-17 record on the road, with a 3-7 mark against PAC-12 opponents.
» The Redhawks began the week ranked third among the WAC in earned run average (4.32), and fourth-overall in stolen bases (38).
NOTABLE NUMBERS
6 – Home runs by Justin Mazzone who leads the team in this category. He is also the team leader in doubles (10), RBI (24) and slugging percentage (.449).
15 –Stolen bases by WAC leader Gavin Rork.
179 – The NCAA RPI ranking as of May 4 for Seattle U, which fourth-highest among WAC schools.
597 – 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 eight games this season, including their March 11-12 neutral dates with Washington State (postponed), the April 1-3 WAC series with Northern Colorado (canceled), and the most recently their three-game set (May 7-9) with Gonzaga.
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 (597). He also began the week as the WAC's longest actively tenured head coach and was second-overall in games coached, all since 2010.
#PROREDHAWKS
» Four former Seattle U pitchers made rosters for the 2021 MiLB Opening Day on Tuesday. The quartet included Janson Junk (Somerset Patriots-AA), Zach Wolf (Pensacola Blue Wahoos-AA), Jake Prizina (Delmarva Orioles-Low A) and Brandon Jenkins (Kannapolis Cannon Ballers-Low A).
» 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.