PHOENIX – Seattle University softball fell, 4-2, at Grand Canyon in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) regular-season finale on Saturday afternoon. The Redhawks will be the second seed at next week's WAC Tournament.
NM State won its game on Saturday to claim the WAC regular-season title. The Aggies will be the top seed at next week's WAC Tournament, with SU (26-19, 13-5 WAC) taking the second slot. Utah Valley is the third seed and GCU rounds out the four-team field. The tournament begins on Thursday, May 13, at Logan Field.
On Saturday, GCU scored two runs in the first to take early control. Stefanie Madrigal came on in relief in the second and contained the Lope offense into the third.
In the top of the third, Brooke Milder hammered a double to the wall in left to lead off. Alyson Matriotti put down a bunt that forced a GCU error. Milder hustled home with the Redhawks' first run. Olivia Viggiano singled next, but SU stranded a pair of runners in the frame.
The hosts answered with two runs in their half of the third. Following a scoreless fourth, Viggiano and Ally Choate walked to start the fifth. Bailey Thompson laced a double to right center that scored Viggiano. Madison Cathcart walked, but SU stranded two runners and settled for making it a two-run gap.
SU had runners on in the sixth and seventh, but the Lopes kept the Redhawks off the scoreboard to take the senior day decision.
Viggiano, Thompson, Milder, and Stephanie Merwin each tallied two hits in the contest. Shi Smith pitched three innings of shutout relief.
NM State won its game on Saturday to claim the WAC regular-season title. The Aggies will be the top seed at next week's WAC Tournament, with SU (26-19, 13-5 WAC) taking the second slot. Utah Valley is the third seed and GCU rounds out the four-team field. The tournament begins on Thursday, May 13, at Logan Field.
On Saturday, GCU scored two runs in the first to take early control. Stefanie Madrigal came on in relief in the second and contained the Lope offense into the third.
In the top of the third, Brooke Milder hammered a double to the wall in left to lead off. Alyson Matriotti put down a bunt that forced a GCU error. Milder hustled home with the Redhawks' first run. Olivia Viggiano singled next, but SU stranded a pair of runners in the frame.
The hosts answered with two runs in their half of the third. Following a scoreless fourth, Viggiano and Ally Choate walked to start the fifth. Bailey Thompson laced a double to right center that scored Viggiano. Madison Cathcart walked, but SU stranded two runners and settled for making it a two-run gap.
SU had runners on in the sixth and seventh, but the Lopes kept the Redhawks off the scoreboard to take the senior day decision.
Viggiano, Thompson, Milder, and Stephanie Merwin each tallied two hits in the contest. Shi Smith pitched three innings of shutout relief.