PHOENIX, Ariz. – Seattle U softball took down the number one overall seed on Friday afternoon, shutting out Utah Tech, 3-0, behind Stefanie Madrigal's dominate complete game performance in the circle. With the win, Seattle U (35-18) moves on to a matchup with #2 seed Grand Canyon at 1 p.m. on Friday at GCU Softball Stadium in Phoenix as part of the 2023 University Credit Union Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Tournament.
The second straight WAC Tournament victory marks the eighth consecutive win overall. This contest also marked Olivia Viggiano's 238 career start/game played, making her Seattle U's new all-time leader in that category.
Madrigal sent down the first three Trailblazers in order before the Redhawks got the offense going in the second inning. Jocelynn De La Cruz got aboard via a hit by pitch to open the inning before Sydney Frankenberger singled to third base to put two runners on with two outs for Mekenzie Madokoro. Madokoro proceeded to rope a ball down the left field line just out of the reach of the left fielder to drive home two runs on a two-out double.
T2 | Kenzie puts us ahead with this double to left!
— Seattle U Softball ?? (@seattleusb) May 11, 2023
SU 2
UT 0 pic.twitter.com/D2Pze38tfQ
That would be all the Redhawk defense and Madrigal would need to take this contest. After retiring three of four Trailblazers in the second and all three in order in the third, Madrigal received huge plays from her defense in the fourth, fifth and sixth inning. After Utah Tech got a runner on with a leadoff single, Madrigal retired the next batter on a ground out and the pairing of Madison Kahwaty and Lily Garcia turned a fantastic double play to end the fourth. In the fifth, Viggiano made this spectacular diving catch in center field to rob the Trailblazers of a leadoff baserunner.
B5 | Liv dives and makes the catch!
— Seattle U Softball ?? (@seattleusb) May 11, 2023
SU 3
UT 0 pic.twitter.com/0v1EXPicxQ
Madrigal began a double play of her own in the sixth to halt any momentum created by UT and retired three consecutive Trailblazers in the seventh to take the complete game victory.
E6 | Stef starts another double play to end the inning!
— Seattle U Softball ?? (@seattleusb) May 11, 2023
SU 3
UT 0 pic.twitter.com/p9vNwxmLgL
Madrigal takes her second win in as many days to improve to 18 wins overall which leads the conference. The San Jose, California, native scattered five hits across the seven innings and only threw 69 total pitches.
SCORING SUMMARY
- Second Inning: Mekenzie Madokoro doubled down the left field line to score two runs.
- Third Inning: Olivia Viggiano scored on a wild pitch.
The winner of tomorrow's contest will head to the championship game (opponent TBD) on Saturday at 1 p.m., while the losing team will face off with the sole remaining team in the loser's bracket at 7 p.m. on Friday.
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