RIVERSIDE, Calif. - Seattle U softball will look to punch its ticket to the 2023 Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Tournament this weekend, heading to Riverside, California, for a three game series with California Baptist over Friday and Saturday.
All three contests will feature live streaming on ESPN+ as well as live stats. Seattle U currently holds an 8-4 advantage all-time, going 3-3 last season that included a doubleheader sweep on March 18 at Logan Field.
FOLLOW THE REDHAWKS
- Friday, May 5 at 4 p.m.
- Seattle U (30-18, 11-10 WAC) at California Baptist (27-24, 10-11 WAC)
- ESPN+
- Live Stats
- Friday, May 5 at 6:30 p.m.
- Seattle U at California Baptist
- ESPN+
- Live Stats
- Saturday, May 6 at 1 p.m.
- Seattle U at California Baptist
- ESPN+
- Live Stats
If the Redhawks grab two win out of the three games against California Baptist, they will clinch a spot in the 2023 WAC Tournament. The Redhawks are currently in fifth place with a WAC record of 11-10 and sit one game back of fourth place Tarleton and two games back of third place Stephen F. Austin.
SERIES SWEEP
The Redhawks are rolling after taking all three contests against Utah Valley last weekend, outscoring the Wolverines, 19-11. Jocelynn De La Cruz opened the series with a bang, walking it off with a three-run home run in the bottom of the eighth to take a 5-3 victory. Lily Garcia pushed the game to extra innings with a two-out RBI double to center field, while Stefanie Madrigal grabbed her WAC-leading 14th win of the season after an eight inning, complete game performance. A Kalyn Hill two-run home run to right field helped SU claim a narrow, 4-3, win in the second game on Friday that saw Naomi Chaidez pick up her first career save.
All seven graduating seniors were in the starting lineup on Saturday, clinching the series sweep with a 10-5 victory. The Redhawks blew this contest open in the third inning, scoring six runs on six hits that was highlighted by a Brooke Milder double right over the right fielder's head. Izzy Dino grabbed her fourth win of the season in her final home start at Logan Field, throwing five innings with just two earned runs allowed. Dino was working really well under press, keeping Utah Valley off the score board in the first and second inning after runners got into scoring position.
CHASING HISTORY
Graduate student Olivia Viggiano is just five starts/games played from breaking the all-time record for starts and games played in a career at Seattle U. Viggiano is used to breaking records this season, grabbing the all-time hits record a few weeks ago against Southern Utah and the all-time triples record in the season opener against Pacific. The native of Mission Viejo, California, also currently holds the all-time records for runs scored and at bats. The outfielder is just six stolen bases away from breaking the all-time career stolen bases record (56).
FINDING THEIR SWING
Redshirt freshman Katie Walling has been on fire the past 10 games, hitting .519 (14-for-27) with two doubles, two triples, one home run and eight RBIs. Walling made it nine straight contests with a hit on Saturday, going three-for-three with one triple, two runs scored and three RBIs. The native of San Diego, California, set a new career-high with three hits in a contest that was highlighted by her RBI triple in the second inning that put SU in the lead for good.
Tai Wilson (.387) and Mekenzie Madokoro (.381) have also enjoyed success at the plate lately, combining for 20 hits, 16 runs scored, three doubles, one triple, three RBIs and seven walks in the last 10 games.
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