SEATTLE - Seattle U softball returns for its third Western Athletic Conference (WAC) home series of the season, hosting Southern Utah for the first time in program history. The Redhawks and Thunderbirds will face off in three games over Friday and Saturday.
All three contests will feature live streaming on ESPN+ as well as live stats. The all-time series is currently tied at four with the Redhawks taking the last two contests between the schools back in 2021.
FOLLOW THE REDHAWKS
- Friday, April 14 at 3 p.m.
- Seattle U (24-14, 5-7 WAC) vs Southern Utah (5-19, 2-7 WAC)
- ESPN+
- Live Stats
- Friday, April 14 at 5 p.m.
- Seattle U vs Southern Utah
- ESPN+
- Live Stats
- Saturday, April 15 at 1 p.m.
- Seattle vs. Southern Utah
- ESPN+
- Live Stats
CHASING HISTORY
Graduate student Olivia Viggiano is just two hits away from breaking Seattle U's all-time hits record of 235. The Mission Viejo, California, native enjoyed a fabulous weekend at the plate against Sam Houston two weeks ago, hitting 8-for-12 with one home run, one double and two RBIs. Viggiano began the weekend with a two hit game on Friday, before tying her career-high with three hits in both games of the doubleheader. Viggiano is now tied for the team lead in multi-hit games with 13.
Viggiano already broke the all-time career triples and at bat record earlier in the season and holds the record for most runs scored at 154. The outfielder also currently ranks second in stolen bases (51).
FINDING THEIR SWING
Sophomores Kalyn Hill and Tai Wilson have been two of SU's best hitters over the last three series, recording averages of .407 and .419, respectively. Over this stretch, Hill currently leads the team in doubles (four), RBIs (10) and slugging percentage (.667). The native of Murrieta, Calif., was crucial in the series victory over Stephen F. Austin three weeks ago, logging an average of .400 with four doubles and three RBIs over three games.
In her last nine games, Wilson leads the team in on base percentage (.455) and ranks second on the team in hits (13) and RBIs (five). The Fairfield, California, native has been one of the Redhawks best hitters all season, ranking first in runs (31) and walks (15) and tying for first in hits (47) and triples (two) as well as holding second in overall average (.376) and doubles (eight).
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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