OREM, Utah - Seattle U softball heads on the road for two midweek Western Athletic Conference (WAC) matchups on Tuesday, facing off with Utah Valley in a doubleheader. The two game series will take place at Wolverine Softball Field on the campus of Utah Valley in Orem, Utah, with live streaming on ESPN+ and live stats available.
FOLLOW THE REDHAWKS
- Tuesday, April 2 at 12:00 p.m. pacific time
- Seattle U (14-19, 6-3 WAC) at Utah Valley (12-17, 6-3 WAC)
- Orem, Utah
- ESPN+
- Live Stats
- Tuesday, April 2 at 2:30 p.m. pacific time
- Seattle U at Utah Valley
- Orem, Utah
- ESPN+
- Live Stats
SFA SERIES SWEEP
Seattle U completed its first WAC series sweep of the season this past weekend, taking all three contests against Stephen F. Austin scoring 20 total runs and allowing just three over that span.
Seattle U grabbed the opening contest of the weekend, 4-1, thanks to a dominate performance from Stefanie Madrigal in the circle, tossing a complete game with six strikeouts and just one run allowed. Madrigal was in the zone early, striking out the final two Ladyjacks of the first inning and sending SFA down in order in the third. Game two saw the offense explode in the third inning for eight runs on 10 hits, including an Ava Sin three-run home run to right field. Avari Morris was fantastic in the circle, throwing her first complete game shutout with a career-high nine strikeouts.
The series finale saw Nicola Simpson exceed at both the plate and in the circle, allowing just one run across five innings and hitting a pinch hit, three-run home run over the left field fence in her sole plate appearance. Simpson set the place early, opening the contest by forcing six ground outs and allowing just one base-runner through the first two innings.
Other notable stats from the week
- Ava Sin - 5-9 (.556) one double, one triple, one home run and four RBIs.
- Karen Spadafora - 4-8 (.500), three RBIs and one walk drawn.
- Tai Wilson - 4-9 (.444), three runs scored, two doubles and four walks drawn.
- Taylor Fitch - 4-9 (.444), three runs scored, two doubles and four RBIs.
- Seattle U pitching staff allowed just three total runs across 19 innings in the SFA series.
NATIONAL AND CONFERENCE RANKINGS
Team batting average (.300) - #66 in the nation and third in the WAC
Team on base percentage (.364) - 98th in the nation and third in the WAC
Team walks drawn (78) - third in the WAC
Team ERA (3.94) - fifth in the WAC
Caught stealing by (seven) - Karen Spadafora, fifth in the WAC
Complete games thrown (seven) - Stefanie Madrigal, fifth in the WAC
Hits (42) - Sydney Frankenberger, fifth in the WAC
Toughest to strikeout (20.5) - Lily Garcia, #81 in the nation and seventh in the WAC
SERIES-AT-A-GLANCE
The Redhawks lead the all-time series over the Wolverines, 33-18, sweeping last season's series matchup at Logan Field.
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.