RIVERSIDE, Calif.- Jumping out to an early lead, No. 4 Seattle U softball (27-24) battled the WAC Tournament's No. 1 seed Grand Canyon (44-6) but a late push by the Lopes downed the Redhawks upset bid in the quarterfinals at John C. Funk Stadium on Thursday afternoon.
The Redhawks now face No. 3 seed Southern Utah in the elimination bracket, hoping to fight their way back for a semi finals berth.
SU combined for six hits, three runs and no errors on the afternoon. Sophomore Sophia Kissling led the charge with two hits in three at bats, while tallying four putouts. Senior Tai Wilson scored her 46th run of the season, crossing home plate for the seventh time in the last eight games. Wilson also recorded a hit.
Junior Taylor Fitch matched Wilson with a hit and one run scored. Sophomores Avari Morris and Karen Spadafora rounded out the group of Redhawks with hits in the contest, while sophomore Mikee Morris picked up the final run of the trio of scorers.
Graduate Jasmine When paced the team with six putouts, while Spadafora picked up five putouts and caught a runner stealing. Mikee Morris led the way with three assists.
Senior Nicola Simpson guided the Redhawks from the circle, pitching all 6.0 innings of the contest. She faced 29 batters and struck out four of them while orchestrating two three up, three down innings.
Seattle U went right to work, taking advantage of three runners on with no outs right out of the gates. Mikee Morris led off with a walk before Wilson and Fitch filled up the bases with back-to-back singles. Morris struck first, scoring on a passed ball before Simpson delivered the RBI sacrifice fly to score Wilson. Avari Morris was walked while Fitch took advantage of a wild pitch to put the Redhawks up 3-0 in the top of the first.
The defense made quick work in the bottom of the first, as Simpson struck out a batter and Spadafora teamed up with Mikee Morris to catch a runner stealing. Simpson commanded back-to-back 1-2-3 innings to shutout the Lopes between the second and third innings, picking up two more strikeouts in the process.
The Redhawks maintained their lead following the fourth despite a 2 RBI double by the Lopes. GCU would even the contest 3-all in the bottom of the fourth before gaining its first lead in the bottom of the sixth off a sac fly. A subsequent hit allowed the insurance run as GCU took the 5-3 lead headed into the seventh. Seattle U sent up three to push back at the Lopes, but GCU would lock down the 5-3 win.
The Redhawks move to the elimination bracket, facing No. 3 Southern Utah tonight at 7 PM at John C. Funk Stadium. Winner will advance to Game 10 set for Friday at 4 PM.
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The Redhawks now face No. 3 seed Southern Utah in the elimination bracket, hoping to fight their way back for a semi finals berth.
SU combined for six hits, three runs and no errors on the afternoon. Sophomore Sophia Kissling led the charge with two hits in three at bats, while tallying four putouts. Senior Tai Wilson scored her 46th run of the season, crossing home plate for the seventh time in the last eight games. Wilson also recorded a hit.
Junior Taylor Fitch matched Wilson with a hit and one run scored. Sophomores Avari Morris and Karen Spadafora rounded out the group of Redhawks with hits in the contest, while sophomore Mikee Morris picked up the final run of the trio of scorers.
Graduate Jasmine When paced the team with six putouts, while Spadafora picked up five putouts and caught a runner stealing. Mikee Morris led the way with three assists.
Senior Nicola Simpson guided the Redhawks from the circle, pitching all 6.0 innings of the contest. She faced 29 batters and struck out four of them while orchestrating two three up, three down innings.
Seattle U went right to work, taking advantage of three runners on with no outs right out of the gates. Mikee Morris led off with a walk before Wilson and Fitch filled up the bases with back-to-back singles. Morris struck first, scoring on a passed ball before Simpson delivered the RBI sacrifice fly to score Wilson. Avari Morris was walked while Fitch took advantage of a wild pitch to put the Redhawks up 3-0 in the top of the first.
The defense made quick work in the bottom of the first, as Simpson struck out a batter and Spadafora teamed up with Mikee Morris to catch a runner stealing. Simpson commanded back-to-back 1-2-3 innings to shutout the Lopes between the second and third innings, picking up two more strikeouts in the process.
The Redhawks maintained their lead following the fourth despite a 2 RBI double by the Lopes. GCU would even the contest 3-all in the bottom of the fourth before gaining its first lead in the bottom of the sixth off a sac fly. A subsequent hit allowed the insurance run as GCU took the 5-3 lead headed into the seventh. Seattle U sent up three to push back at the Lopes, but GCU would lock down the 5-3 win.
The Redhawks move to the elimination bracket, facing No. 3 Southern Utah tonight at 7 PM at John C. Funk Stadium. Winner will advance to Game 10 set for Friday at 4 PM.
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.