PHOENIX - A highly competitive defensive battle for Seattle U softball went to extra innings after the Redhawks secured the tie in the top of the fifth, but the stalemate was broken in favor of Grand Canyon 3-2 in eight innings at GCU Softball Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Redhawks combined for eight hits, two runs and two RBI, while holding the Lopes to three hits.
Two Redhawks went for multi-hit days, with sophomore Karen Spadafora leading the charge with two hits and an RBI in four at bats. Sophomore Avari Morris also tacked on two of the eight hits in four at bats. Senior Tai Wilson scored her 38th run of the season, while sophomore Berkley Vance came in for a run as a pinch runner.
Graduate Jasmine Wehn recorded a hit and RBI in four at bats. Senior Nicola Simpson, sophomore Sophia Kissling and sophomore Mikee Morris rounded out the group with at least one hit on the afternoon.
Defensively, Wilson led the charge with a career high tying six putouts as Wehn and Spadafora combined for eight. Vance pitched all 7.2 innings, allowing only one hit in seven innings. She faced 32 batters on the day and struck out two of them, allowing only three hits and three runs across the 7.2 innings.
The opening two innings went scoreless for the Redhawks and Lopes, with SU recording three hits in that time span to GCU's zero. The Redhawks once again struck first, capitalizing on two GCU errors and an RBI single from Wehn to get the go-ahead in the top of the third 1-0. The Lopes responded in kind in the bottom of the third, scoring twice to take the lead 2-1.
Kissling recorded the lone hit of the fourth inning as the Redhawks sent down all three of GCU's batters in the bottom of the fourth. Facing two outs in the top of the fifth, Simpson connected for a single to right field to get a runner on. Vance came in to run for Simpson and promptly advanced into scoring position off a wild pitch. Spadafora came to bat and knocked out an RBI single to center field, allowing Vance to score to even the game 2-all in the fifth.
The Redhawks handled the next three innings, sending down all nine of the subsequent GCU batters to get into extra innings. Avari Morris got on base in the top of the eighth with her second hit of the day facing two outs, but the Lopes shut down the inning with the final out. Wilson and Kissling quickly took down the first two GCU batters but the Lopes rattled off back-to-back hits to ice the game 3-2 in the bottom of the eighth.
The Redhawks return to action next weekend for their Alumni Weekend series at Logan Field. They will face Southern Utah, with the doubleheader slated for 2pm and 4pm on Friday, April 18. Saturday's game will begin at 11 am.
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The Redhawks combined for eight hits, two runs and two RBI, while holding the Lopes to three hits.
Two Redhawks went for multi-hit days, with sophomore Karen Spadafora leading the charge with two hits and an RBI in four at bats. Sophomore Avari Morris also tacked on two of the eight hits in four at bats. Senior Tai Wilson scored her 38th run of the season, while sophomore Berkley Vance came in for a run as a pinch runner.
Graduate Jasmine Wehn recorded a hit and RBI in four at bats. Senior Nicola Simpson, sophomore Sophia Kissling and sophomore Mikee Morris rounded out the group with at least one hit on the afternoon.
Defensively, Wilson led the charge with a career high tying six putouts as Wehn and Spadafora combined for eight. Vance pitched all 7.2 innings, allowing only one hit in seven innings. She faced 32 batters on the day and struck out two of them, allowing only three hits and three runs across the 7.2 innings.
The opening two innings went scoreless for the Redhawks and Lopes, with SU recording three hits in that time span to GCU's zero. The Redhawks once again struck first, capitalizing on two GCU errors and an RBI single from Wehn to get the go-ahead in the top of the third 1-0. The Lopes responded in kind in the bottom of the third, scoring twice to take the lead 2-1.
Kissling recorded the lone hit of the fourth inning as the Redhawks sent down all three of GCU's batters in the bottom of the fourth. Facing two outs in the top of the fifth, Simpson connected for a single to right field to get a runner on. Vance came in to run for Simpson and promptly advanced into scoring position off a wild pitch. Spadafora came to bat and knocked out an RBI single to center field, allowing Vance to score to even the game 2-all in the fifth.
The Redhawks handled the next three innings, sending down all nine of the subsequent GCU batters to get into extra innings. Avari Morris got on base in the top of the eighth with her second hit of the day facing two outs, but the Lopes shut down the inning with the final out. Wilson and Kissling quickly took down the first two GCU batters but the Lopes rattled off back-to-back hits to ice the game 3-2 in the bottom of the eighth.
The Redhawks return to action next weekend for their Alumni Weekend series at Logan Field. They will face Southern Utah, with the doubleheader slated for 2pm and 4pm on Friday, April 18. Saturday's game will begin at 11 am.
Donate Today
Fans interested in making a gift to Seattle University Athletics can do so by clicking here. Your gift directly impacts all Redhawk student athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in the community. Thank you for supporting Seattle University Athletics!
Follow Along With the Action
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.