PHOENIX, Ariz. – Seattle U softball concluded its 2023 University Credit Union Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Tournament run on Saturday afternoon, falling to Grand Canyon, 2-10 in five innings. Seattle U went on a spectacular tournament run to reach the championship matchup, going three and one overall before today's contest. This is the fourth consecutive year that Seattle U has won at least three games in the tournament.
Jocelynn De La Cruz put Seattle U in front during the second inning, crushing a ball over the left field wall for the solo shot. The graduate student's 12th home run and 59th RBI of the season put her name in the record books, marking the most RBIs in a single-season in Seattle U history.
Lily Garcia made another phenomenal defense play in this contest, stealing a base hit away from GCU. Garcia was one of the top Redhawks on defense all tournament long, making a handful of highlight reel plays.T2 | JOCE SENT THAT BALL TO THE ??
— Seattle U Softball ?? (@seattleusb) May 13, 2023
With that home run, De La Cruz sets a new single-season record in RBIs (59)
SU 1
GCU 0 pic.twitter.com/WpAwr7VNNn
B2 | LILY WITH THE FANTASTIC GRAB TO ROB THE LOPES OF A HIT!
— Seattle U Softball ?? (@seattleusb) May 13, 2023
SU 1
GCU 0#NCAASoftball #SCTop10 pic.twitter.com/Ch0dVjGtNE
The Redhawks never quit fighting, getting runners on and platting one in the fifth inning. After entering the contest during the fourth inning, Brooke Milder came through at the plate with a single straight back up the middle. Olivia Viggiano followed right after with a single of her own to third base, while Wilson drove Milder home on a fielder's choice.
GAME ONE SCORING SUMMARY
- Second Inning: Jocelynn De La Cruz homered to left field. GCU scored three runs on three hits.
- Third Inning: The Lopes scored two runs on one hit.
- Fourth Inning: The Lopes scored five runs on five hits.
- Fifth Inning: Tai Wilson reached on a fielder's choice, driving in a run.
Frankenberger was the Redhawks top hitter in this tournament, going eight-for-16 (.500) with one triple. The San Ramon, California, native was vital in last night's win over Stephen F. Austin, tying the Seattle U single-game record for hits (four) that included a two-out triple in the eighth that allowed SU to take the lead.
Garcia was stellar at the plate and in the field all tournament long, going five-for-13 with one double, one triple and two RBIs as well as posting a fielding percentage of .962 with 14 assists and starting two double plays. The native of Sylmar, California, logged two key hits against SFA last night, knocking in the opening run to start a five inning rally in the second and tripling in the third to tie the ball game at six.
Madrigal was dealing all week long in the circle, finishing with a 3.16 ERA over 31 innings in five appearances (four starts). The San Jose, California, native allowed just four hits and one run in a stellar complete game win over California Baptist to open the tournament. Madrigal then went on to shut out the #1 seed Utah Tech Trailblazers on just 69 pitches, allowing only five hits. The senior took the ball once more for the third straight game against Grand Canyon and gave them a chance to win the game in another complete game effort. Madrigal was a major reason that the Redhawks made it to the Championship game, entering the Stephen F. Austin contest in the middle of the second inning and holding them to just three runs over 6.2 innings.
The Redhawks also received major contributions from graduate students Mekenzie Madokoro and Olivia Viggiano in these five games. Madokoro finished the tournament with a batting average of .438 (seven-for-16) with one double and three RBIs. The Cerritos, California, native had the crucial base hit that put Seattle U in today's game, smacking a ball right back up the middle to give SU a one run lead in the eighth over SFA. Madokoro also knocked home the game winning runs against Utah Tech with a two-RBI double down the left field line.
Viggiano also had a great tournament at the plate and in the field, hitting eight-for-19 (.421) with three RBIs and making some amazing grabs in center field. The Redhawks all-time leader in games started, Viggiano tied the score against CBU in the fifth inning where SU took the lead, beating out and RBI single to the shortstop. The Mission Viejo, California, native finishes her fantastic career as the Redhawks all-time leader in games started/played, hits, triples, at bats and runs scored.
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