POCATELLO, Idaho - Seattle University softball (14-12) marathoned its first day against Idaho State (22-13), falling to the Bengals 7-6 in 12 innings and 2-1 in regulation, in a clash of defensive endurance doubleheader on day one at Miller Ranch Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Game 1:
Senior Taylor Fitch led the way through the opening contest, securing four hits, including a home run, in five at bats, while scoring one run and recording five RBI. It’s the second time this season Fitch has posted a four hit game, tying the program single game record (15th time in program history by a Redhawk). On the defensive end, she grabbed an assist and two put outs.
Juniors Karen Spadafora and Avari Morris both went for multiple hits, with Spadafora recording a solo home run. Morris also recorded a hit that went for extra bases in game one. She finished the day with three hits and a run while Spadafora recorded two hits and a run.
Junior Mikee Morris paced the team scoring two runs. She ended the contest with one hit, while leading the team with three assists. Junior Sophia Kissling scored the final run amongst the group.
Guiding the team from the circle was Avari Morris and junior Berkley Vance. Morris earned the start and pitched 4.0 innings. She faced 19 batters and struck out three. Vance pitched the remaining 7.1 innings. She faced 35 batters and struck out two.
Assisting the defense was graduate Jay Ross, who recorded eight putouts from first base. Spadafora added six putouts from behind home plate, while freshman Oona Capristo tacked on a new season high six from left field.
After two scoreless frames, the Redhawks struck first with an RBI single from Fitch to score Mikee Morris from second in the top of the third. Spadafora doubled the lead with a solo shot out of center field before the Bengals responded with two runs in the bottom of the fourth.
SU went back ahead by two off the 2 RBI homer from Fitch to score Avari Morris alongside. Idaho State pulled back within a run in the bottom of the fifth. Vance and the defense secured a shut out frame in the sixth setting up the Redhawks for a final push in the seventh. Fitch tacked on two more RBI with a single to score Kissling and Mikee Morris to lead 6-3 heading into the bottom of the seventh. Idaho State battled back to a tie, scoring three runs to force extra innings.
The pair remained tied for four additional innings, neither conceding a run despite getting runners on. Entering into what would be the tied longest contest the Redhawks have competed in, the Bengals walked it off with a solo homer in the bottom of the 12th to edge out the Redhawks 7-6.
Game Two:
Another defensive standoff came in the second game of the doubleheader. Avari Morris led the team with two hits, bringing her total to five hits on the day. Fitch scored the lone run of the contest.
Mikee Morris, Ross, Spadafora and senior Ava Sin all tacked on hits in game two, while Spadafora led the group with an RBI double.
Leading the team from the circle was freshman Kaia Galaviz, who pitched 6.0 innings. She faced 27 batters and struck out one, only allowing runs in the first inning.
Aiding the defense was Ross and Avari Morris, who each posted five putouts. Fitch led the team with a season high five assists.
The Bengals struck first in the bottom of the second with a triple and sac fly before Galaviz and the defense kept them scoreless through the subsequent five frames. The Redhawks reached base with four singles in five innings before finally breaking through the shutout in the top of the sixth.
Mikee Morris kicked off the inning with a single before Fitch reached on a fielder’s choice. Spadafora crafted an RBI double to score Fitch from first. With freshman Jaeden Sajec in to run for Spadafora and Sin reaching with a walk, the Redhawks had two more on to claim the potential tie and go-ahead run, but the Bengals disrupted the attempted comeback to clinch the series behind the 2-1 victory.
The Redhawks wrap up the three game series at Miller Ranch Stadium tomorrow at noon.
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