PHOENIX, Ariz. - Seattle U softball looks forward to opening postseason play this week, traveling to Phoenix for the 2023 University Credit Union Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Tournament as the #4 overall seed. The Redhawks will begin the double elimination style tournament with the fourth overall game, taking on the winner of the matchup between #5 Tarleton and #8 California Baptist at 7 p.m. at GCU Softball Stadium. Each contest features live streaming on ESPN+ as well as live stats.
The winner of the contest will play at 1 p.m. on Thursday against #1 overall seed Utah Tech, while the loser will play against the losing team of game five on Thursday at 4 p.m.
FOLLOW THE REDHAWKS
- Wednesday, May 10 at 7 p.m.
- #4 Seattle U (33-18) vs. #5 Tarleton or #8 California Baptist
- ESPN+
- Live Stats
This marks the ninth time Seattle U has made it to the WAC Tournament, holding an overall record of 15-12 (.555). The Redhawks have won the WAC Tournament title twice over the last three events, going undefeated in both 2019 and 2021 with wins over New Mexico State in the championship game. The 2019 tournament took place in Phoenix, while the 2021 tournament was in Seattle.
ON A ROLL
The Redhawks enter the tournament red hot, having won six straight games with two consecutive series sweeps of Utah Valley and California Baptist.
Seattle U grabbed the series opener against the Lancer, 5-2, after taking the lead for good in the third inning via a Katie Walling RBI single to left center field. Tai Wilson marked her first of two three-for-four contests, while Stefanie Madrigal claimed the win after allowing just two runs in a complete game effort. Grace Luderer led Seattle U to a 7-3 victory in the night cap on Friday, throwing a complete game with just three runs allowed and four strikeouts. The Redhawks did well to put the ball in play to score runs, while Jocelynn De La Cruz and Kalyn Hill sealed the game with an RBI double to left field and two-RBI single to center field, respectively.
The Redhawks captured the second straight sweep and sixth straight win on Saturday with a dominate victory, 8-1. De La Cruz crushed her team-leading 11th home run with a three-run shot to left field in the opening inning, while Madrigal finished the WAC regular season with her WAC overall leading 16th win of the year after six innings of shutout ball with just four hits allowed.
ALL-WAC HONORS
Jocelynn De La Cruz, Lily Garcia, Madison Kahwaty and Tai Wilson were among those honored by the WAC on Monday. Wilson was named one of the top-13 student athletes in the conference with her First Team selection, while De La Cruz's phenomenal season lands her on the Second Team. Garcia and Kahwaty claim All-Defensive Team honors for the second consecutive season after another stellar season as the middle infield pairing. This marked the fifth consecutive year that the Redhawks have earned at least four year-end honors from the WAC.
CHASING HISTORY
Graduate student Olivia Viggiano is just two 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).
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