HILLSBORO, Ore. - Seattle U softball marks its final non-conference contests before the start of Western Athletic Conference (WAC) play this week, traveling to Hillsboro, Oregon, to take on Portland State. The Redhawks will face off with the Vikings in three contests over two days, opening with a doubleheader on Thursday afternoon. All three contests will feature live stats.
FOLLOW THE REDHAWKS
- Thursday, March 7 at 4:00 p.m.
- Seattle U (8-12) at Portland State (3-14)
- Hillsboro, Ore.
- Live Stats
- Thursday, March 7 at 6:00 p.m.
- Seattle U at Portland State
- Hillsboro, Ore.
- Live Stats
- Friday, March 8 at 11:00 a.m.
- Seattle U at Portland State
- Hillsboro, Ore.
- Live Stats
HIGHLIGHTS FROM OKLAHOMA STATE/TULSA INVITE
Sydney Frankenberger, Lily Garcia and Karen Spadafora were the top performs at the plate for the Redhawks over the three days at the Oklahoma State/Tulsa Invite. Frankenberger averaged .417 with eight hits, one triple, one RBI and seven runs scored, getting on base 50% of the time. Lily Garcia hit for an average of .471, with five hits, one double and two RBIs, while Karen Spadafora marked her first career home run, hitting .375 with three hits and one double. In limited action, KJ Hopfer marked three hits in four at bats with one double and two RBIs, while Amanda Morris earned her third career start on Sunday against Drake and had three hits over five at bats.
Stefanie Madrigal led the way in the circle, posting an ERA of 3.07 with two wins and one complete game. Madrigal did a great job of shutting down UMKC after coming into the contest during the second inning, throwing 6.0 six inning and allowing zero earned runs with six strikeouts. Madrigal concluded the weekend with a complete game, allowing just two earned runs in a Redhawks, 11-2, win in five innings.
PRESEASON HONORS/PRESEASON POLL
Stefanie Madrigal and Tai Wilson were honored by the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) this past week, with the former being named the Preseason Co-Pitcher of the Year and the latter joining her on the All-WAC Preseason Team. The Redhawks have gone seven straight seasons with multiple players earning Preseason All-WAC honors and have had at least one athlete named for the last 11 years.
Madrigal became the first Redhawk to earn Preseason Co-Pitcher of the Year honors, marking her third consecutive season on the All-WAC Preseason Team. The native of San Jose, California, took another step forward during the 2023 season, leading the squad with the nation's 37th most wins at 19. Madrigal played some of her best softball on the biggest stage at the WAC Tournament, taking the ball in all five contests and allowing just one run in the first two.
Wilson earns the award for the first time after a breakout 2023 season in which she finished in the top-10 in batting average (.438), runs scored (23) and hits (35) during conference play in route to an All-WAC First Team award. The junior outfielder led the Redhawks with 72 hits (30th nationally), a batting average of .396 (54th nationally) and an on base percentage of .456 (142nd nationally). Wilson's overall hits total and batting average rank as the Redhawks' fourth and eighth best single-season performance.
Seattle U was picked to finish third as voted on by the 10 WAC coaches, receiving 66 points and one first place vote. The Redhawks have been picked to finish third overall or better in eight straight years.
NATIONAL AND CONFERENCE RANKINGS
Team batting average (.297) - #70 in the nation and second in the WAC
Team fielding percentage (.966) - second in the WAC
On base percentage (.360) - second in the WAC
Caught stealing by (four) - Karen Spadafora, #66 in the nation and fourth in the WAC
Doubles (five) - Taylor Fitch, fifth in the WAC
Hits (25) - Sydney Frankenberger, fourth in the WAC
Innings Pitched (44.0) - Stefanie Madrigal, fifth in the WAC
Shutouts (one) - Nicola Simpson, one of 101 pitchers to throw at least one.
Victories (four) - Stefanie Madrigal, second in the WAC
SERIES-AT-A-GLANCE
Portland State: The Redhawks trail the all-time series, 13-23.
HOW TO FOLLOW
All 14 Seattle U home contests this season will be broadcast on ESPN+. For road games, related links to video stream and live stats will be posted on the softball schedule page on goseattleu.com. Fans are encouraged to check the Seattle U Softball team's official Twitter feed @seattleusb for updates of games in progress as well as news and notes. Greg Sexton and former Redhawk, Katie Favilla (Antich), mark their third season on the call.
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.