SEATTLE - Seattle U softball completed a doubleheader sweep of Southern Utah on Friday afternoon, shutting out the Thunderbirds, 5-0, in the opener before exploding for 15 runs in a game that ended after five innings. Graduate student Olivia Viggiano broke Seattle U's all-time career hits record with a leadoff single in game two to mark 236 career hits. Both Western Athletic Conference (WAC) contests took place at Logan Field on the campus of Seattle U in Seattle.
After the two contests, Seattle U improves to 26-14 and with a record of 7-7 in WAC play.
GAME ONE
The Redhawks took the lead in the opening inning and never looked back as Stefanie Madrigal got rolling early. The senior from San Jose, California, marked her fourth shutout of the season, allowing just five hits over the entire contest. Madrigal sent down eight Trailblazers in a row from the second to fourth inning as well as retiring the last four batters of the game.
Seattle U put this game away in the fourth inning after scoring four insurances runs, capped off by a two-run shot from Madison Kahwaty. The senior shortstop's fourth home run of the season moved her into a tie for second on the team and marked her 12th overall as a Redhawk.
B4 | MADISON SENDS IT! NO DOUBTER!
— Seattle U Softball ?? (@seattleusb) April 14, 2023
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GAME ONE SCORING SUMMARY
- First Inning: Jocelynn De La Cruz grounded into a double play, scoring a run.
- Fourth Inning: Mekenzie Madokoro scored on a wild pitch. Olivia Viggiano grounded out to shortstop, allowing a run to score. Madison Kahwaty hit a two-run home run to left field.
Olivia Viggiano wasted no time breaking the all-time hits record in game two, opening the game with a leadoff single through the left side. Viggiano has already broken 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 will look to add the all-time career stolen base record in the future as she is just five away from tying the current amount of 56.
Seattle U's offense exploded for a season-high 15 runs over just four innings, scoring nine in the third alone for the most in one inning this season. Sydney Frankenberger opened the inning with a single before Mekenzie Madokoro moved the runner to second on a bunt to the pitcher. The Redhawks would do all their damage with two outs as Olivia Viggiano knocked home the first run of the inning on a single to third followed by a Tai Wilson walk with the bases loaded and Madison Kahwaty brought another run home on a rocket single back at the pitcher.
Jocelynn De La Cruz drove two more across home plate with a ground rule double over the right center field fence. Frankenberger, Hill and Taylor Deden concluded the nine run inning with three consecutive singles that brought home another three runs. The Redhawks were just one run away from tying their all-time single game runs scored record which was set last season against Utah Valley on March 26.
B3 | Ground rule double from Joce!!
— Seattle U Softball ?? (@seattleusb) April 15, 2023
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Naomi Chaidez picked up her third win of the season after the complete game effort, allowing just two runs and striking out four. Seattle U plays some of its best softball when number 27 is in the circle, improving to 5-1 on the season in games she starts.
GAME TWO SCORING SUMMARY
- First Inning: Sydney Frankenberger reached on an error by the shortstop, allowing a run to score. Kalyn Hill singled up the middle, doubling the lead.
- Second Inning: Madison Kahwaty hit a two-RBI single to center field.
- Third Inning: Olivia Viggiano singled to third for an RBI, followed by a Tai Wilson walk with the bases loaded. Kahwaty singled to the pitcher before Jocelynn De La Cruz hit a two-RBI ground rule double. Frankenberger singled through the left side for an RBI. Hill followed with an RBI single to center field. Taylor DeDen singled to first base for an RBI.
- Fourth Inning: Kahwaty doubled to right field, scoring one run. De La Cruz doubled to right field, scoring the 15th run.
- Fifth Inning: Southern Utah scored two runs on three hits.
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