ABILENE, Tex. - Seattle U softball returns to the road this weekend, taking part in its first Western Athletic Conference (WAC) road series of the season against Abilene Christian in Abilene, Texas. All three contests will take place at Poly Well Field on the campus of Abilene Christian, with a doubleheader on Friday and a single contest on Saturday. The contests will be streamed live on ESPN+ and feature live stats.
FOLLOW THE REDHAWKS
- Friday, March 22 at 1:00 p.m. pacific time
- Seattle U (9-17, 1-2 WAC) at Abilene Christian (9-15, 1-2 WAC)
- Abilene, Texas
- ESPN+
- Live Stats
- Friday, March 22 at 3:00 p.m. pacific time
- Seattle U at Abilene Christian
- Abilene, Texas
- ESPN+
- Live Stats
- Saturday, March 23 at 10:00 a.m. pacific time
- Seattle U at Abilene Christian
- Abilene, Texas
- ESPN+
- Live Stats
RECENT PLAY
Freshman Karen Spadafora has been playing some of her best softball over the last two weeks, hitting .417 with five hits, one RBI and two runs scored in that stretch as well as throwing out two runners stealing. Spadafora marked two key singles in the win over Grand Canyon on Saturday, putting the game-tying run across home plate with an opposite way single in the fourth inning.
Mikee Morris was Seattle U's best hitter this past weekend against Grand Canyon, hitting .500 (five-for-ten) with two doubles and four RBIs. Morris brought home two insurance runs in the sixth inning on a bases loaded single back up the middle to secure the victory. The freshman is currently on a five game hitting streak.
Stefanie Madrigal was vital in the Redhawks win over GCU Saturday, throwing a complete game with just two runs allowed. The senior from San Jose, Calif., really locked in after the third inning, sending down the next nine of 12 Lopes and ending the contest with a one, two, three inning.
The Redhawks were in all three contests over the weekend, thanks to relief appearances from Berkley Vance and Grace Luderer. Vance allowed just one earned run in the opening contest on Friday, stopping the damage in the second inning and sending down the next six of seven Lopes. Luderer pitched three innings in relief in the second contest on Friday, allowing just one hit and striking out two Lopes. The junior from Tarzona, Calif., allowed just one base runner in the fifth, before sending the Lopes down in order in the sixth and making a great double play of her own to work out a jam in the seventh.
Both Jasmine Wehn and Tai Wilson are doing a great job of getting on base, holding reached base streaks of eight and six, respectively.
NATIONAL AND CONFERENCE RANKINGS
Team batting average (.283) - #94 in the nation and fourth in the WAC
Team fielding percentage (.961) - fourth in the WAC
Team walks drawn (57) - third in the WAC
Caught stealing by (six) - Karen Spadafora, third in the WAC
Hits (31) - Sydney Frankenberger, fourth in the WAC
Toughest to strikeout (.08) - Sydney Frankenberger, #150 in the nation and fifth in the WAC
SERIES-AT-A-GLANCE
The Redhawks took the only ever matchup between the two programs back during the 2022 season, taking down the Wildcats, 3-1, at the WAC Tournament in Huntsville, Texas.
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.
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.