NACOGDOCHES, Tex. - Seattle U softball heads on its first road trip of the 2023 Western Athletic Conference (WAC) season on Friday, making its first ever trip to Nacogdoches, Texas, to take on Stephen F. Austin in three games over Friday and Saturday.
All three games will feature live streaming on ESPN+ as well as live stats. The Redhawks have only meet with the Ladyjacks twice in their Division I history, with both contests taking place last season at the WAC Tournament.
FOLLOW THE REDHAWKS
- Friday, March 24 at 3:00 p.m. pacific time
- Seattle U (20-9, 1-2 WAC) at Stephen F. Austin (14-11, 3-0 WAC)
- ESPN+
- Live Stats
- Saturday, March 25 at 9 a.m. pacific time
- Seattle U at Stephen F. Austin
- ESPN+
- Live Stats
- Saturday, March 25 at 11:30 a.m. pacific time
- Seattle U at Stephen F. Austin
- ESPN+
- Live Stats
HISTORIC START
Seattle U is off to a historic start this season, holding a record of 20-9 overall to mark the program's best record through 29 games in their Division I history. The Redhawks have had three win streaks of five or more this season, marking six straight wins in a row from Feb. 11-18 and Mar. 5-12. Wins over Power Five opponents, Iowa State and Minnesota, highlight the non conference schedule as the Redhawks entered conference play last weekend 19-7.
Both wins over Iowa State and Minnesota were via a comeback, scoring in the seventh inning to capture the victories. Sydney Frankenberger was the hero against the Cyclones, walking it off with a two RBI double. Grace Luderer was stellar in the circle, striking out seven in a complete game effort.
The Redhawks scored eight in the top of the seventh against Minnesota, capped off by a Jocelynn De La Cruz grand slam that provided to be the deciding runs. Izzy Dino kept the Redhawks in that contest, allowing just two earned runs in a complete game performance.
Seattle U's previous best 29 game opening stretch came during SU's DII days, beginning the season 22-6-1 in 2008.
RED HOT
Madison Kahwaty was the Redhawks' top hitter over the past series, going five-for-six with three double, two walks and one RBI. The native of Livermore, California, leads the team in doubles (11) and ranks second in OPS (1.044), runs scored (22), RBIs (22) as well as tied for second in home runs (three).
Kahwaty has the second most multiple RBI games (four) on the squad and is tied for second in longest recorded reached base streaks (13). The senior has hit hit third in the order every game, making all 29 starts at shortstop.
COMING OUT OF THE PEN
Naomi Chaidez was phenomenal out of the bullpen this past weekend, throwing 7.1 innings with a 1.91 ERA. Chaidez opened the weekend with an appearance in the second game on Saturday, throwing 3.1 scoreless innings with just one hit allowed. The sophomore also entered the game on Sunday, allowing just two earned runs in four innings of work. Chaidez has won both games she's started this season, most recently throwing five scoreless innings against Montana with just three hits allowed and a strikeout.
WAC AWARD WINNERS
Seattle U has already won two WAC Player of the Week awards entering conference play, with graduate student Jocelynn De La Cruz and senior Stefanie Madrigal winning hitter and pitcher of the week awards in back-to-back weeks.
Madrigal got the awards started, claiming her fourth career WAC Pitcher of the Week award (Feb. 19-26) after her performance at the Hawaii Invitational. The native of San Jose, Calif., went 3-0 over three appearances (two starts), posting an ERA of 0.88.
After picking up a win over St. Bonaventure out of the bullpen, Madrigal got the start against Marist and performed like she has all season. The senior claimed the victory after throwing a complete game, allowing only one run across five hits and striking out four. Madrigal ended the weekend with her best performance, throwing a complete game shutout against Hawaii.
De La Cruz followed the previous week, taking her first career WAC Hitter of the Week award (Feb. 26-Mar. 5) after the Judi Garman Classic in Fullerton, California. The Menifee, California, native was phenomenal at the plate over that weekend, hitting .471 with one double, four home runs and 13 RBIs
The 5-10, graduate student's first home run of the weekend came in her opening at bat against Fresno State on Saturday, smashing a three-run shot to center field. De La Cruz would connect on a solo home run in her very next at bat, tying Seattle U's single game home run record. She'd continue her great momentum at the plate later that day against LMU, going three-for-four with one double and one RBI.
De La Cruz opened the scoring against San Jose State on Sunday, crushing a two-run shot to left field for her third home run of the weekend. She capped off her stellar weekend with a grand slam against Minnesota, helping SU complete a seventh inning comeback.
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