ORLANDO, Fla – Seattle U softball (1-1) opened the 2024 season on Friday, taking the first contest against UConn, 6-3, before falling to UCF, 0-5, in the night cap. Both contests were a part of the Black & Gold Classic, hosted by UCF, at UCF Softball Complex in Orlando, Florida.
GAME ONE
Seattle U jumped in front shortly after UConn had taken a lead, scoring two runs in the fourth. After Katie Walling singled to left to begin the inning, Taylor Fitch smacked a double to right center to set up second and third with no one out.
Ava Sin reached on a fielder's choice to second on the next play, tying it at one, before Lily Garcia did the same exact thing in her at bat shortly after to put SU in front.
With the contest tied at two all in the sixth, Sydney Frankenberger provided a clutch, two out, two RBI single to left field to put the Redhawks in front for good. Sin got the inning started with a walk before, Mikee Morris walked two batters later and Nicola Simpson singled to left field to load the bases for Frankenberger.
Jasmine Wehn provided some insurance in the top of the seventh, coming in as a pinch hitter to hit a sacrifice fly to left field that would allow two runs to score on the play.
Stefanie Madrigal (1-0) picked up right where she left off in the circle last season, allowing just one earned run in 6.1 innings and striking out five. The senior from San Jose, California, opened the contest strong, striking out the first two batters and sending down six of the first seven.
GAME ONE SCORING
- Third Inning: UConn scored one run.
- Fourth Inning: Ava Sin reached on a fielder's choice, scoring the tying run. Lily Garcia reached on a fielder's choice to second base, putting SU in front.
- Fifth Inning: UConn scored on run tying the game.
- Sixth Inning: Sydney Frankenberger singled to left field, driving in two runs
- Seventh Inning: Jasmine Wehn hit a sac fly to left field, allowing two runs to score on the play. UConn scored one run in the bottom half.
The Redhawks did their best to get some offense going in the second game of the day, putting two runners on base in both the second, third and and seventh inning.
Seattle U's best opportunity came in the third inning after Mikee Morris and Sydney Frankenberger recorded back-to-back singles to begin the inning. Taylor Fitch loaded the bases up with a hard hit single to right field but SU was unable to capitalize.
T3 | Taylor smacks a ball into right field to load the bases? pic.twitter.com/mKaNlMyyFL
— Seattle U Softball ?? (@seattleusb) February 10, 2024
Nicola Simpson marked her first start in the circle for Seattle U, sending down the first six Knights in order. A stellar defensive play from Mikee Morris kept the contest scoreless going into the fourth.
E3 | Mikee showing off the arm to end the inning????
— Seattle U Softball ?? (@seattleusb) February 10, 2024
SU 0
UCF 0 pic.twitter.com/Pkc4mmtBAB
GAME TWO SCORING
- Fourth Inning: UCF scored four runs on five hits.
- Fifth Inning: UCF scored one run on two hits.
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