PHOENIX, Ariz. – Seattle U softball advanced to the 2023 University Credit Union Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Tournament Championship game on Saturday evening, knocking off #3 Stephen F. Austin in eight innings by a score of 10-9. Mekenzie Madokoro was the hero on the evening, slapping a base hit up the middle to drive home the winning run. With the win, Seattle U (36-19) moves on to face #2 Grand Canyon in a rematch of the first game today at 1 p.m. on Saturday at GCU Softball Stadium in Phoenix.
GAME ONE
Seattle U dropped its first contest of the day to Grand Canyon, 2-4, marking its first loss in nine games. The result wasn't due to a lack of effort as the Redhawks kept themselves in the game. Stefanie Madrigal was dealing in the early going, sending the first six Lopes down in order. After GCU grabbed a run in the third, this diving catch by Lily Garcia with two runners on prevented the Lopes from extending the lead.
Another fantastic double play created by Garcia and Madison Kahwaty in the fifth kept the Lopes off the board once more, while the Redhawks created some momentum of their own in the sixth. Mekenzie Madokoro leadoff the inning with an infield single to second before Garcia smacked this double to the left field wall to put runners in scoring position with no outs.T4 | WHAT A CATCH BY LILY GARCIA TO END THE INNING!
— Seattle U Softball ?? (@seattleusb) May 12, 2023
SU 0
GCU 1#NCAASoftball #SCTop10 pic.twitter.com/L8H7PuWiAm
B6 | Lily finds the gap as we look to get something going! pic.twitter.com/Dh8zG7nIP4
— Seattle U Softball ?? (@seattleusb) May 12, 2023
Olivia Viggiano made it a one run game as the very next hitter, beating out an infield single that saw the shortstop overthrow the ball to first base, scoring both runners to make it a one run game.
The Redhawks left it all out there in the seventh, as Kalyn Hill leadoff with a single through the right side and Katie Walling walked after fouling off multiple pitches in a full count.
GAME ONE SCORING SUMMARY
- Third Inning: Grand Canyon scored one run on three hits.
- Sixth Inning: Grand Canyon scored two runs on four hits. Olivia Viggiano singled to shortstop and two runs scored on a throwing error.
- Seventh Inning: GCU scored one run on a sacrifice fly.
After falling behind by four runs in the first inning, the Redhawks stormed back with five runs in the second on five hits. Kalyn Hill opened with a walk before Katie Walling and Sydney Frankenberger recorded back-to-back singles to load the bases. Lily Garcia and Olivia Viggiano recorded back-to-back RBI singles up the middle, while Tai Wilson logged an RBI ground out to make it a one run game. Madison Kahwaty followed with a walk to load the bases for Jocelynn De La Cruz. De La Cruz crushed a ball into the left field gap to score two and put the Redhawks in front.
SFA rallied for two runs in the bottom half but Seattle U wouldn't go away and retook the lead with two runs of its own in the third. Garcia tied this ball game at six with an RBI triple to right center field with two outs. Viggiano knocked her home in the very next at bat with an RBI single to left center to make the score 7-6 SU.T2 | JOCE GETS IT DONE WHEN WE NEED IT?
— Seattle U Softball ?? (@seattleusb) May 13, 2023
SU 5
SFA 4 pic.twitter.com/i1xn8r5U5n
Stefanie Madrigal entered this contest in the second inning, marking her fourth appearance in three days and held the Ladyjacks off the board until the sixth inning. Finding themselves down two runs with only three outs remaining in their season, the Redhawks played their hearts out. Frankenberger, Madokoro and Garcia hit three consecutive singles to load the bases with no out. Wilson made it a one run game with an RBI single up the middle and Kahwaty put the ball in a difficult spot to drive in the game tying run.T3 | LIV IS CLUTCH, 7-6 REDHAWKS! pic.twitter.com/2ESDmbERXM
— Seattle U Softball ?? (@seattleusb) May 13, 2023
Madrigal would send this game to extra innings, stranding a Ladyjack runner on third base in the bottom of the seventh. With two outs in the top of the eighth, Frankenberger tied the Seattle U single-game record for hits (four) with a rocket triple that just bounced out of the right fielder's glove. Madokoro would come up clutch right after, knocking the winning run across the plate with a single right back up the middle.T7 | TAI COMES THROUGH TO MAKE IT A ONE RUN GAME!
— Seattle U Softball ?? (@seattleusb) May 13, 2023
SU 8
SFA 9 pic.twitter.com/fikY0akqoH
T8 | KENZIE GETS THE JOB DONE! LET'S GOOOOOO
— Seattle U Softball ?? (@seattleusb) May 13, 2023
SU 10
SFA 9 pic.twitter.com/04LhDnGrwo
Madrigal grabbed her WAC-leading 19th win after stifling another SFA attack in the bottom of the eighth.
GAME TWO SCORING SUMMARY
- First Inning: SFA scored four runs on four hits.
- Second Inning: Both Lily Garcia and Olivia Viggiano singled up the middle for an RBI each. Tai Wilson had an RBI ground out to second base. Jocelynn De La Cruz smacked a two-RBI double to left field. Stephen F. Austin scored two runs on four hits.
- Third Inning: Garcia tripled to right center field for an RBI. Viggiano singled up the middle for an RBI.
- Sixth Inning: SFA scored three runs on three hits.
- Seventh Inning: Wilson singled up the middle for an RBI to make it a one run game. Madison Kahwaty reached on a fielder's choice, tying the ball game at nine.
- Eighth Inning: Mekenzie Madokoro singled up the middle to put SU in front.
Stay connected with Seattle U softball and get all the latest team updates by downloading the GoSeattleU mobile app available now for free in the App Store or Google Play.