CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. – Seattle U softball (6-6) wrapped up its first day of play at the Mary Nutter Classic on Friday, shutting out UC Riverside in the night cap, 6-0, after falling earlier in the day to CSUN, 4-6. Both contests were a part of the Mary Nutter Classic in Cathedral City, California, at Big League Dreams Sports Park.
UC RIVERSIDE CONTEST
The Redhawks took control of this contest early, putting up a two spot in the second inning thanks to Taylor Fitch's first home run in a Redhawk uniform. Ava Sin opened the inning with a single through the left side before Fitch worked a long count and crushed a ball over the right field fence.
T2 | TAYLOR SENDS THAT BALL OVER THE FENCE?
— Seattle U Softball ?? (@seattleusb) February 24, 2024
SU 2
UCR 0
??: https://t.co/WwKktcVrsp
Watch on @FloSoftball pic.twitter.com/YpBvZGxu5b
Seattle U didn't let up in the third, adding three more runs to the lead. Lily Garcia opened with a single to center field before Sydney Frankenberger put them both in scoring position with a double to right field. Tai Wilson grabbed an RBI on a ground out to shortstop before Mikee Morris marked her first career collegiate home-run with a two run shot to left field.
T3 | THE FIRST CAREER COLLEGIATE HOME RUN FOR MIKEE?
— Seattle U Softball ?? (@seattleusb) February 24, 2024
SU 5
UCR 0
??: https://t.co/WwKktcVrsp
Watch on @FloSoftball pic.twitter.com/wmCg3x4SUe
The freshman added another RBI to her stat line in the fifth inning, roping a ball past the shortstop for a double that drove in Frankenberger.
Both Nicola Simpson and Avari Morris were stellar in the circle on the evening, throwing seven shutout innings and combining for 11 total strikeouts. Simpson looked strong in her four innings of work, working out jams in the second and third innings to keep SU in front.
E4 | Nicola's 6??th strikeout of the night ends the fourth!
— Seattle U Softball ?? (@seattleusb) February 24, 2024
SU 5
UCR 0
??: https://t.co/WwKktcVrsp
Watch on @FloSoftball pic.twitter.com/rLg5NJvGM8
Avari Morris entered the contest in the fifth and preceded to strikeout the side. The freshman sent down the Highlanders in order in the seventh to earn her first career collegiate save.
Also, marking her first career collegiate hit was Sophia Kissling, recording a single in her sole at bat in the sixth inning.
UC RIVERSIDE SCORING
- Second Inning: Taylor Fitch hit a two-run, home run to right field.
- Second Inning: Tai Wilson marked an RBI ground out to shortstop. Mikee Morris hit a two-run, home run to left field.
- Second Inning: Mikee Morris hit an RBI double through the left side.
The Redhawks did well to battle back into this contest after facing an early deficit, outscoring CSUN, 3-1, from the third to seventh inning.
Jasmine Wehn put two runs across the plate in the bottom of the third, singling through the left side when the bases were loaded. Ava Sin, Nicola Simpson and Katie Walling all recorded consecutive singles to open the inning and provide Wehn with the opportunity.
B3 | Jas smacks that ball the other way to score ?
— Seattle U Softball ?? (@seattleusb) February 23, 2024
SU 3
CSUN 6
??: https://t.co/WwKktcVrsp
Watch on @FloSoftball pic.twitter.com/lq4w3gv8dM
Seattle U also grabbed another in the fifth inning, thanks to a lead off triple from Katie Walling. Walling was able to score on the very next at bat after Lily Garcia smacked a hard ground ball to second base.
The Redhawks looked like they might almost snatch this one away from the Matadors, loading the bases in the final frame.
Berkley Vance pitched excellently after entering the contest in the third inning, allowing just two hits and striking out four. Vance only allowed one runner to reach second base and sent the Matadors down in order in both the fifth and seventh inning.
T4 | Berkley gets her looking ??
— Seattle U Softball ?? (@seattleusb) February 23, 2024
SU 3 CSUN 6
??: https://t.co/WwKktcVrsp
Watch on @FloSoftball pic.twitter.com/QunVmiLHaj
CSUN CONTEST SCORING
- First Inning: CSUN scored four runs on four hits.
- Second Inning: The Matadors scored one run on two hits. Tai Wilson singled through the right side, scoring Nicola Simpson.
- Third Inning: CSUN scored one run on two hits. Jasmine Wehn singled through the left side for two RBI.
- Fifth Inning: Lily Garcia reached on a fielding error by second base, scoring Katie Walling.
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.