SEATTLE – Seattle University softball saw its season come to a close in the NCAA Tournament on Saturday night. The Redhawks held off elimination with a 6-5 win over Portland State before falling at No. 6 Washington, 8-0, in five innings.
Coach Geoff Hirai's squad finishes 2021 with a 30-21 record, including a second straight WAC Tournament Championship and the second Division I NCAA Tournament win in program history.
SU came back twice to take out Portland State and advance to a second elimination game against the Huskies. UW scored a run in the second and five more in the third to take control.
In Saturday's first game, Portland State scratched out two runs in the first, jumping on three SU errors to go ahead early.
In the bottom of the first, Olivia Viggiano and Ally Choate walked. Bailey Thompson then hit a groundball to third, where the Vikings touched the base to get Viggiano. The throw to first was wide, though, giving Choate an opportunity to hustle home and slide in safely.
The Redhawk defense was stellar in the second, highlighted by a Stephanie Merwin grab on a liner. Madrigal worked around a walk in the third as SU looked to tie it up. Viggiano walked to spark another rally. She then stole second for her 13th stolen base of the year. Thompson followed with a base hit to leftfield to bring in Viggiano to make it 2-all.
After a scoreless fourth, Portland State went back ahead with a pair of singles. Shi Smith came on in relief and retired both Viking hitters she faced to close out the fifth.
The Redhawks turned the game around with a four-run fifth frame. Alyson Matriotti doubled to left to ignite the rally. Viggiano then singled to bring Choate to the plate. The senior came through with a single through the right side that drove in two runs to give SU a 4-3 advantage. Portland State made a pitching change as Thompson stepped in. She drew a walk on a full count to put two runners aboard. Madison Cathcart hit a single to right to load the bases with no outs. Carley Nance lined a base hit to right to plate a run and chase the PSU pitcher. Cherise Silvan then hit a sacrifice fly to left that brought in another run for a 6-3 margin.
PSU hit a two-run homer to get within one in the sixth. Smith got out of the inning with a flyball to left. The Redhawks turned to Nance for the save in the seventh. Nance retired the Vikings in order, earning a swinging strikeout to put an exclamation point on SU's victory.
Madrigal, Smith, and Nance teamed up for the win, as Madrigal started with 4.1 innings and gave up one earned run. Smith followed with 1.2 innings to get the win. Nance picked up the save with her flawless seventh.
Cathcart and Matriotti led the offense with two hits apiece. Viggiano posted a hit, two walks, two runs, and a steal.
Hirai will lose a fantastic senior class that features Cathcart, Choate, Matriotti, Merwin, Silvan, and Thompson.
Coach Geoff Hirai's squad finishes 2021 with a 30-21 record, including a second straight WAC Tournament Championship and the second Division I NCAA Tournament win in program history.
SU came back twice to take out Portland State and advance to a second elimination game against the Huskies. UW scored a run in the second and five more in the third to take control.
In Saturday's first game, Portland State scratched out two runs in the first, jumping on three SU errors to go ahead early.
In the bottom of the first, Olivia Viggiano and Ally Choate walked. Bailey Thompson then hit a groundball to third, where the Vikings touched the base to get Viggiano. The throw to first was wide, though, giving Choate an opportunity to hustle home and slide in safely.
The Redhawk defense was stellar in the second, highlighted by a Stephanie Merwin grab on a liner. Madrigal worked around a walk in the third as SU looked to tie it up. Viggiano walked to spark another rally. She then stole second for her 13th stolen base of the year. Thompson followed with a base hit to leftfield to bring in Viggiano to make it 2-all.
After a scoreless fourth, Portland State went back ahead with a pair of singles. Shi Smith came on in relief and retired both Viking hitters she faced to close out the fifth.
The Redhawks turned the game around with a four-run fifth frame. Alyson Matriotti doubled to left to ignite the rally. Viggiano then singled to bring Choate to the plate. The senior came through with a single through the right side that drove in two runs to give SU a 4-3 advantage. Portland State made a pitching change as Thompson stepped in. She drew a walk on a full count to put two runners aboard. Madison Cathcart hit a single to right to load the bases with no outs. Carley Nance lined a base hit to right to plate a run and chase the PSU pitcher. Cherise Silvan then hit a sacrifice fly to left that brought in another run for a 6-3 margin.
PSU hit a two-run homer to get within one in the sixth. Smith got out of the inning with a flyball to left. The Redhawks turned to Nance for the save in the seventh. Nance retired the Vikings in order, earning a swinging strikeout to put an exclamation point on SU's victory.
Madrigal, Smith, and Nance teamed up for the win, as Madrigal started with 4.1 innings and gave up one earned run. Smith followed with 1.2 innings to get the win. Nance picked up the save with her flawless seventh.
Cathcart and Matriotti led the offense with two hits apiece. Viggiano posted a hit, two walks, two runs, and a steal.
Hirai will lose a fantastic senior class that features Cathcart, Choate, Matriotti, Merwin, Silvan, and Thompson.