SEATTLE - Seattle U softball takes part in four contests over four days this week, facing off with Oregon State before hosting its second Western Athletic Conference (WAC) series of the season versus Stephen F. Austin. The week gets started on Wednesday with the Beavers coming the Emerald City, while the Ladyjacks make their first ever trip to Seattle for a three game set on Friday and Saturday. All four contests will take place at Logan Field with live streaming ESPN+ and live stats available.
FOLLOW THE REDHAWKS
- Wednesday, March 27 at 5:30 p.m.
- Seattle U (11-18, 3-3 WAC) vs. Oregon State (14-16, 3-3 Pac-12)
- Logan Field
- ESPN+
- Live Stats
- Friday, March 29 at 3:00 p.m.
- Seattle U vs. Stephen F. Austin (9-25, 2-4 WAC)
- Logan Field
- ESPN+
- Live Stats
- Friday, March 29 at 5:00 p.m.
- Seattle U vs. Stephen F. Austin
- Logan Field
- ESPN+
- Live Stats
- Saturday, March 23 at 1 p.m.
- Seattle U vs. Stephen F. Austin
- Logan Field
- ESPN+
- Live Stats
ACU SERIES WIN
The Redhawks claimed their first Western Athletic Conference (WAC) series of the 2024 season this past weekend, taking the final two of three from Abilene Christian down in Abilene, Texas. Seattle U snatched the second contest on Friday, scoring 17 runs to set a new program record for a single contest. The Redhawks completed the series victory on Saturday, scoring four times in the final inning to take a 5-1 win back to Seattle.
Mikee Morris extended her team-leading hitting streak to eight games after a monster weekend in Abilene, hitting seven-for-11 with one triple, one home run, six RBIs, three runs scored and one walk drawn. Morris provided the game winning single in the series finale, smacking a hard hit ball to the shortstop to drive in what would be the winning run.
Sydney Frankenberger improved her hitting streak to five games, going six-for-10 with one double, one RBI, five runs scored and two walks drawn. Taylor Fitch also marked her fifth straight contest with a hit, while Tai Wilson improved her on base streak to a team-leading nine games and Sophia Kissling and Karen Spadafora marked reaching base in five and four games, respectively.
Stefanie Madrigal was once again fantastic in the series finale, allowing just four hits and zero earned runs in a complete game win. After the Wildcat's first batter got on, Madrigal sent down the next 10 Wildcats in order. The San Jose native, stranded a Wildcat on third in the fourth with an inning ending strikeout and forced three straight ground outs in the fifth. Madrigal worked around the error in the sixth and allowed just one base runner in the final inning to grab her sixth win of the year.
NATIONAL AND CONFERENCE RANKINGS
Team batting average (.294) - #77 in the nation and third in the WAC
Team on base percentage (.361) - third in the WAC
Team walks drawn (71) - third in the WAC
Team ERA (4.28) - fourth in the WAC
Caught stealing by (seven) - Karen Spadafora, third in the WAC
Hits (37) - Sydney Frankenberger, fourth in the WAC
Toughest to strikeout (19.8) - Sydney Frankenberger, #106 in the nation and fourth in the WAC
Toughest to strikeout (18.8) - Lily Garcia, #127 in the nation and fifth in the WAC
SERIES-AT-A-GLANCE
Oregon State: The Redhawks trail the all-time series, 3-10, with the Redhawks taking the last matchup between the two in 2021, 2-1, in a non-conference tournament in Tucson, Arizona.
Stephen F. Austin: The Redhawks and Ladyjacks are tied in the all-time series, 3-3, with the Redhawks taking three of four last season with one coming in extra innings at the WAC Tournament to send them to the title game.
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.