SEATTLE - Sophomore Avari Morris' grand slam elevated Seattle U softball (24-19, 9-9 WAC) over Southern Utah (13-24, 8-10 WAC) in the series finale for the eventual 7-3 victory for the Redhawks on Saturday afternoon at Logan Field.
Morris led the Redhawks with two hits in two at bats, capturing her 4 RBI home run in the bottom of the third. The homer was the first in Morris' collegiate career.
Senior Nicola Simpson also left the yard with her fifth home run of the season, with a solo shot down the left field line. Simpson ended the day with two hits and two RBI in three at bats.
Both Simpson and Morris saw multi-hit days as the Redhawks combined for nine hits in the contest. Junior Taylor Fitch picked up her 45th RBI off a double in the first inning. Senior Tai Wilson, graduate Jasmine Wehn, sophomore Karen Spadafora, and freshman Bella Ely rounded out the group of Redhawks with a hit.
All seven runs were scored by seven different Redhawks, as Wilson scored her 39th run on the season. Wilson also went for extra bases on the day, knocking out her third triple of the year.
Leading from the circle was sophomore Berkley Vance. She earned the start and pitched 4.0 innings en route to her eighth win of the season. She faced 14 batters and struck out two of them, only allowing three hits without giving up a run. Senior Naomi Chaidez came in at relief in the top of the fifth and pitched 3.0 innings. She faced 18 batters and struck out three to capture her first save of the season.
Similar to the two contests prior, the Redhawks struck first in the bottom of the first after Fitch dialed up an RBI double to score Wilson from first. Vance commanded back-to-back 1-2-3 innings while picking up both of her strikeouts in the top of the second.
The Redhawks had their most fruitful inning in the bottom of the third after holding the Thunderbirds scoreless. Fitch drew a walk before Wehn advanced her into scoring position off a single through the right side. Facing one out, Simpson scored Fitch with her single up the middle. Spadafora followed suit in the hit parade, moving Wehn to third and pinch runner freshman Zoe Hopkins to second with her single.
With the bases loaded, Morris stepped up to the plate and hammered her first collegiate home run out of right center field to push the Redhawks up 6-0. Both teams went scoreless through the fourth frame before the Thunderbirds broke through in the top of fifth with two runs. Simpson responded in kind with her home run to lead off the Redhawks in the bottom of the fifth.
The Thunderbirds scored once more in the top of the seventh facing one out before Chaidez sent down a batter swinging and Ely and Wehn secured the final out to take game three 7-3.
Seattle U returns to Logan Field next weekend as the Redhawks host Faculty and Staff Appreciation in the doubleheader against Utah Valley before concluding their home slate with their Senior Day celebration on Saturday, April 26.
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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!
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Morris led the Redhawks with two hits in two at bats, capturing her 4 RBI home run in the bottom of the third. The homer was the first in Morris' collegiate career.
Senior Nicola Simpson also left the yard with her fifth home run of the season, with a solo shot down the left field line. Simpson ended the day with two hits and two RBI in three at bats.
Both Simpson and Morris saw multi-hit days as the Redhawks combined for nine hits in the contest. Junior Taylor Fitch picked up her 45th RBI off a double in the first inning. Senior Tai Wilson, graduate Jasmine Wehn, sophomore Karen Spadafora, and freshman Bella Ely rounded out the group of Redhawks with a hit.
All seven runs were scored by seven different Redhawks, as Wilson scored her 39th run on the season. Wilson also went for extra bases on the day, knocking out her third triple of the year.
Leading from the circle was sophomore Berkley Vance. She earned the start and pitched 4.0 innings en route to her eighth win of the season. She faced 14 batters and struck out two of them, only allowing three hits without giving up a run. Senior Naomi Chaidez came in at relief in the top of the fifth and pitched 3.0 innings. She faced 18 batters and struck out three to capture her first save of the season.
Similar to the two contests prior, the Redhawks struck first in the bottom of the first after Fitch dialed up an RBI double to score Wilson from first. Vance commanded back-to-back 1-2-3 innings while picking up both of her strikeouts in the top of the second.
The Redhawks had their most fruitful inning in the bottom of the third after holding the Thunderbirds scoreless. Fitch drew a walk before Wehn advanced her into scoring position off a single through the right side. Facing one out, Simpson scored Fitch with her single up the middle. Spadafora followed suit in the hit parade, moving Wehn to third and pinch runner freshman Zoe Hopkins to second with her single.
With the bases loaded, Morris stepped up to the plate and hammered her first collegiate home run out of right center field to push the Redhawks up 6-0. Both teams went scoreless through the fourth frame before the Thunderbirds broke through in the top of fifth with two runs. Simpson responded in kind with her home run to lead off the Redhawks in the bottom of the fifth.
The Thunderbirds scored once more in the top of the seventh facing one out before Chaidez sent down a batter swinging and Ely and Wehn secured the final out to take game three 7-3.
Seattle U returns to Logan Field next weekend as the Redhawks host Faculty and Staff Appreciation in the doubleheader against Utah Valley before concluding their home slate with their Senior Day celebration on Saturday, April 26.
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.