Seattle U returns to Bannerwood Park for its final home stand this weekend as it host Utah Valley. The four-game series has postseason implications and will close the 2021 regular season campaign. Since 2010, the Redhawks are 15-12 against the Wolverines and 7-7 when facing them at home.
SERIES INFO
Thurs., May 20 – 4 pm PT • Watch / Stats
Fri., May 21 (G1) – 12 pm PT • Watch / Stats
Fri., May 21 (G2) – Approx. 3:30 pm PT • Watch / Stats
Sat., May 22 – 12 am PT • Watch / Stats
PITCHING MATCHUPS
Thursday – SU: Morgan White, RHP (1-4, 4.86 ERA, 50.0 IP) vs UVU: Jesse Schmit, RHP (1-8, 9.85 ERA, 49.1 IP)
Friday (G1) – SU: Peter Chronowski, LHP (2-3, 4.50 ERA, 50.0 IP) vs UVU: Mason Gray, RHP (3-6, 5.75 ERA, 59.1 IP)
Friday (G2) – SU: TBD vs UVU: Bobby Voortmeyer, RHP (2-7, 6.06 ERA, 52.0 IP)
Saturday – SU: TBD vs UVU: TBA
LAST TIME OUT
The Redhawks fell in 16-8 slugfest last Wednesday against Washington State in Pullman, as the teams combined for 31 hits in the contest. Julian Kodama was a team-best 3-for-5 at the plate, while Drake Maningo (2-3) and Gavin Rork (2-5) also had multi-hit performances.
LAST TIME WE MET... UTAH VALLEY
The last time Seattle U faced Utah Valley was March 22-24 during the 2019 season at home. The Redhawks won the opener 8-5 and were led by a 3-for-4 day from Justin Mazzone who had two RBI, while was Austin Lively 2-for-4. Seattle U however dropped the series as it fell 4-2 and 6-5 in the next games to close the series.
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
Julian Kodama has started 59-straight games, dating back to the start of the 2020 season, which is the team's longest active streak. During that stretch, the junior infielder has started 51 games at third base.
THREE UP, THREE DOWN
» Based on a modified winning percentage formula used by the WAC this season, Seattle U enters the weekend as the five-seed in next week's conference tournament.
» In order to stay at No. 5, SU would need to go 3-1 and Northern Colorado would have to split with Dixie State; or the Redhawks would have to sweep and Northern Colorado couldn't win more than three games. Outside of the above scenarios, Seattle U is looking at a lengthy if-then list for to determine its fate.
» Thank you to our amazing group of seniors, we appreciate all you have done and been a part of. You're Redhawks for Life.
NOTABLE NUMBERS
1.31 – The number of walks allowed per nine innings by Alex Jemal, placing him 19th among NCAA Div. I pitchers.
7 – Home runs by Justin Mazzone who leads the team in this category. He is also the team leader in doubles (12), RBI (26) and slugging percentage (.453).
18 –Stolen bases by WAC leader Gavin Rork.
602 – 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 nine 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 (602). 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.