SEATTLE - Seattle U softball completed a doubleheader sweep of Utah Valley on Friday, beginning with a three-run walk off home run to take game one, 5-3, in extras and concluding with a narrow, 4-3, victory in game two. Jocelynn De La Cruz was one of the Redhawks best hitters on Friday, going three-for-six with one double, one home run and four RBIs. Both Western Athletic Conference (WAC) contests took place at Logan Field on the campus of Seattle U in Seattle.
The doubleheader sweep improves Seattle U to 29-18 with a 10-10 record in WAC play.
GAME ONE
Jocelynn De La Cruz walked it off in the opener, smashing a three-run home run to right center field. De La Cruz had a great first game, going three-for-four with one double, one home run and three RBIs. Tai Wilson began the inning with an infield single to the shortstop before Madison Kahwaty put them both in scoring position with her team-leading 15th double.
DE LA CRUZ WALKS IT OFF WITH THAT 3-RUN SHOT
— Seattle U Softball ?? (@seattleusb) April 29, 2023
SU 5
UVU 3 pic.twitter.com/k5DOEhGEdW
Lily Garcia had a strong game at the plate as well, going one-for-two with one double and two RBIs. Garcia originally put the Redhawks in front with a sacrifice fly in the fifth and tied this game with two outs in the bottom of the seventh on an RBI double.
Stefanie Madrigal grabs her WAC-leading 14th win of the season, throwing a complete game with just three earned runs and three strikeouts. Madrigal was crucial in the Redhawks picking up this extra inning victory, holding the Wolverines scoreless until the sixth inning.
GAME ONE SCORING SUMMARY
- Fifth Inning: Lily Garcia hit a sacrifice fly to center field to take the lead.
- Sixth Inning: Utah Valley scored two runs on three hits.
- Seventh Inning: Lily Garcia doubled, tying the game at two.
- Eighth Inning: UVU took the lead on a home run. Jocelynn De La Cruz walked it off with a three-run home run.
The Redhawks began this contest with three runs in the first inning, marking the 20th time they've scored in the opening frame. Olivia Viggiano led off the contest with a single up the middle, before Tai Wilson put them both in scoring position with a double to left center. Jocelynn De La Cruz brought home the first run on a sacrifice fly that Kalyn Hill followed soon after with a two-run home run to right field.
B1 | A NO DOUBTER FROM KALYN
— Seattle U Softball ?? (@seattleusb) April 29, 2023
SU 3
UVU 0 pic.twitter.com/uitdH7qhRQ
Sydney Frankenberger platted what would be the game winning run in the third inning, smashing a double to center field. That would be all Grace Luderer would need to grab her ninth win of the season, throwing 5.1 innings with just one earned run allowed. The Redhawks defense did their best to assist Luderer in the early going, gunning out a runner at the plate via a Mekenzie Madokoro throw from left field.
T1 | KENZ GUNS THE RUNNER AT THE PLATE pic.twitter.com/4h2KHmYmAx
— Seattle U Softball ?? (@seattleusb) April 29, 2023
Naomi Chaidez was crucial in closing out this game, claiming her first career save. Chaidez entered the game after two runs had scored in the sixth and struck out the first batter on three strikes before ending the inning with a pop out to shortstop.
GAME TWO SCORING SUMMARY
- First Inning: De La Cruz hit a sacrifice fly to center field, opening the scoring. Kalyn Hill hit a two-run home run to to right field.
- Third Inning: Sydney Frankenberger doubled to center field to score a run.
- Sixth Inning: Utah Valley scored two runs on three hits.
- Seventh Inning: UVU scored one run on one hit.
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