SEATTLE - Seattle University softball (19-28, 5-9 WCC) put on a stout defensive performance to match Santa Clara (24-23, 9-5 WCC) but could not draw in the go-ahead runs, falling to the Broncos 1-0 at Logan Field on Saturday afternoon.
Senior Ava Sin led the team with two hits in three at bats, recording her 19 double of the season to tie second all-time for doubles in a single season. Junior Avari Morris continued chasing the single season hits record, picking up her 71st base hit of the season. Senior Taylor Fitch and junior Sophia Kissling rounded out the group with base hits on the day.
Sophomore Maya Mesa earned the start and tossed a complete game. She faced 30 batters and struck out five in 7.0 innings, holding the Broncos scoreless in the final five frames.
Graduate Jay Ross aided the defense with seven putouts at first while fellow senior Brooklyn Jones matched her career high with four assists at second base.
After a quick top of the first, the Redhawks got two runners in scoring position following a fielder’s choice and Sin’s double. Seattle U battled with an extended at bat facing two outs but could not drive a run in the first. Santa Clara threatened to open up the contest, loading the bases with a hit, walk and hit by pitch. Mesa picked up a crucial strikeout to force two outs before Santa Clara broke through for a RBI single to take the 1-0 lead. Mesa pivoted tossing the backwards K to strand three Broncos.
The teams exchanged 1-2-3 innings in the third before each got base hits in the fourth. The Redhawks caught a Bronco stealing in the top of the third before Sin got on board with her second hit of the day, but Santa Clara would maintain the shutout, keeping Sin stranded at first.
SU got runners on the corners off a base hit from Morris in the fifth, facing two outs, but were once again thwarted by Santa Clara. Fitch singled in the bottom of the sixth and junior Karen Spadafora got to first after being hit by a pitch. Despite two runners on with one out, the Broncos kept the two stranded. Mesa collected her final strikeout in the top of the seventh before the Redhawks sent up their final three batters. Santa Clara would preserve the shutout with three straight putouts from left field to secure the series behind the 1-0 victory.
The Redhawks conclude their three game series against the Broncos on Sunday for Senior Day starting at noon. Ross, Jones, Sin and Fitch will all be honored post-game.
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