RIVERSIDE, Calif.- Combining for 13 hits and 10 runs, the No. 4 Seattle U softball team (27-23) orchestrated a lights out offense attack to down No. 8 Utah Valley (16-31) 10-3 in the 2025 WAC Tournament opening round at John C. Funk Stadium on Wednesday night.
Carrying the torch behind its 11th straight WAC Tournament appearance, the Redhawks were led by reigning WAC Player of the Week sophomore Karen Spadafora. The catcher went for three hits in three at bats, which included a double and her 11th home run of the season, scoring three runs and tallying 2 RBI.
Sophomore Mikee Morris also recorded three hits on the evening in four at bats, knocking out two doubles while collecting a run and RBI. Sophomore Sophia Kissling went 2-for-2 on the night, with two RBI and a run. Of the five other Redhawks to record a hit on the night, freshman Bella Ely collected her first collegiate triple to round out the group of four who went for extra bases. Senior Nicola Simpson picked up 2 RBI on a hit.
Graduate Jasmine Wehn paced the Redhawk defense with eight putouts, while also contributing offensively with an RBI and a hit. Spadafora caught her eighth runner stealing this season, picking up two putouts and an assist. Morris led the group with four assists.
Leading from the circle and earning the start was sophomore Berkley Vance. She pitched her way to her tenth win of the season, pitching for 6.0 innings of the contest. Vance, after allowing only three runs, pitched five straight shutout innings. Sophomore Avari Morris entered for the final 1.0 innings of the game and faced four batters. She struck out one without allowing a hit or a run.
Utah Valley struck first scoring three runs off an RBI walk and single before the Redhawks shut down the surge. Seattle U bounced back in the bottom of the second spearheaded by a base hit from Spadafora facing two outs followed by a RBI triple from Ely. Kissling would score Ely to cut the deficit 3-2 after two innings.
After catching a runner stealing to end the top of the third, the Redhawk offense immediately went to work, rattling off four straight hits. Senior Tai Wilson led off with a base hit before advancing into scoring position off a passed ball. Fitch scored Wilson from first with a base hit before Wehn moved Fitch to third with a single. Simpson scored both Fitch and pinch runner freshman Zoe Hopkins with a 2 RBI single.
Spadafora, facing one out, scored pinch runner freshman Abbie Fales after a double to right center field. After Spadafora advanced to third, Kissling picked up her second RBI of the day before Mikee Morris scored Kissling with her RBI double.
Leading 8-3 heading into the fourth, neither team scored as the Redhawk defense wrapped the inning with a double play. After a 1-2-3 inning from the Redhawk defense, Spadafora hit out her solo shot to left field for her 11th home run of the season. She ties Fitch with the most home runs on the year.
Seattle U made quick work of the Wolverines in the top of the sixth before getting two runners on in the bottom of the sixth. Wehn scored Mikee Morris after grounding out to third to score the final run of the evening. The Wolverines sent up four to attempt the comeback but Morris and freshman Camryn Johnson secured the 10-3 victory to advance the Redhawks to the quarterfinals.
Seattle U returns to action tomorrow afternoon as the Redhawks take on top-seed Grand Canyon at 1 PM at John C. Funk Stadium.
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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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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.
Carrying the torch behind its 11th straight WAC Tournament appearance, the Redhawks were led by reigning WAC Player of the Week sophomore Karen Spadafora. The catcher went for three hits in three at bats, which included a double and her 11th home run of the season, scoring three runs and tallying 2 RBI.
Sophomore Mikee Morris also recorded three hits on the evening in four at bats, knocking out two doubles while collecting a run and RBI. Sophomore Sophia Kissling went 2-for-2 on the night, with two RBI and a run. Of the five other Redhawks to record a hit on the night, freshman Bella Ely collected her first collegiate triple to round out the group of four who went for extra bases. Senior Nicola Simpson picked up 2 RBI on a hit.
Graduate Jasmine Wehn paced the Redhawk defense with eight putouts, while also contributing offensively with an RBI and a hit. Spadafora caught her eighth runner stealing this season, picking up two putouts and an assist. Morris led the group with four assists.
Leading from the circle and earning the start was sophomore Berkley Vance. She pitched her way to her tenth win of the season, pitching for 6.0 innings of the contest. Vance, after allowing only three runs, pitched five straight shutout innings. Sophomore Avari Morris entered for the final 1.0 innings of the game and faced four batters. She struck out one without allowing a hit or a run.
Utah Valley struck first scoring three runs off an RBI walk and single before the Redhawks shut down the surge. Seattle U bounced back in the bottom of the second spearheaded by a base hit from Spadafora facing two outs followed by a RBI triple from Ely. Kissling would score Ely to cut the deficit 3-2 after two innings.
After catching a runner stealing to end the top of the third, the Redhawk offense immediately went to work, rattling off four straight hits. Senior Tai Wilson led off with a base hit before advancing into scoring position off a passed ball. Fitch scored Wilson from first with a base hit before Wehn moved Fitch to third with a single. Simpson scored both Fitch and pinch runner freshman Zoe Hopkins with a 2 RBI single.
Spadafora, facing one out, scored pinch runner freshman Abbie Fales after a double to right center field. After Spadafora advanced to third, Kissling picked up her second RBI of the day before Mikee Morris scored Kissling with her RBI double.
Leading 8-3 heading into the fourth, neither team scored as the Redhawk defense wrapped the inning with a double play. After a 1-2-3 inning from the Redhawk defense, Spadafora hit out her solo shot to left field for her 11th home run of the season. She ties Fitch with the most home runs on the year.
Seattle U made quick work of the Wolverines in the top of the sixth before getting two runners on in the bottom of the sixth. Wehn scored Mikee Morris after grounding out to third to score the final run of the evening. The Wolverines sent up four to attempt the comeback but Morris and freshman Camryn Johnson secured the 10-3 victory to advance the Redhawks to the quarterfinals.
Seattle U returns to action tomorrow afternoon as the Redhawks take on top-seed Grand Canyon at 1 PM at John C. Funk Stadium.
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.