SEATTLE - Seattle University softball’s (19-29, 5-10 WCC) four seniors (Jay Ross, Brooklyn Jones, Taylor Fitch and Ava Sin) combined for five hits, three runs and four RBI in the narrow 7-6 defeat to Santa Clara (25-23, 10-5 WCC) at Logan Field on Sunday afternoon.
Fitch paced the team with two hits, including her 13th home run of the season, and two runs in four at bats. The third baseman's homer secured her tied-third for home runs in a single season while locking up fourth in career home runs. Sin scored one while matching Fitch with two hits and a RBI. Jones batted .500 with a hit in two and two RBI in four at bats. Ross led the defense with seven putouts at first base.
Sophomore Abbie Fales also logged an extra base hit, combining for two hits in four at bats. Junior Avari Morris continues to chase the school hits record, recording her 72nd hit of the year. She also scored a run in three at bats while earning two walks. Morris is now tied fourth all-time for hits in a single season, sitting three shy of tying the program record.
Freshman Kaia Galaviz earned the start in the circle and pitched 3.2 innings of the contest. She faced 16 batters and struck out one. Morris appeared in the final 3.1 innings, where she faced 19 batters and struck out one.
Fitch and Jones each paced the team with three assists while combining for seven putouts to aid Ross. Sin logged three putouts from behind home plate.
Seattle U combined for 12 hits in the contest, leading the Broncos by three.
Galaviz led off the day with a quick turn of the top of the first, sending down all three batters she faced. Morris led off the day with a base hit through the right side before Ross reached on a Bronco error. Fitch advanced Morris to third with a fly out before Sin’s fielder’s choice allowed Morris to score for the first run of the day.
Santa Clara crafted up a run of its own in the top of the second off an RBI double to even the contest 1-all. SU got two hits from junior Sophia Kissling and freshman Aurora Zepeda but could not draw in the go-ahead run. The Broncos built up a two run lead in the top of the third playing small ball to lead 3-1. Fitch opened the bottom of the third with her solo shot homer. The Redhawks got two more runners on, with one in scoring position, but were halted by the Broncos to trail 3-2 into the fourth.
Neither team scored in the fourth, but the Redhawks loaded the bases with a Bronco error, a walk and a single from Fitch. Santa Clara maneuvered out of the threat with back to back outs. After sending down four Broncos, Fales led off the fifth with a double before freshman Audrey Borup logged a base hit to advance her to third. Facing two outs, Morris drew a walk to load the bases but the Broncos forced the final out to leave all three stranded.
Santa Clara claimed another run in the top of the sixth with a RBI ground out to lead 4-2 heading into the bottom of the sixth. Fitch drew a walk to start the frame before Sin tallied a base hit. Junior Karen Spadafora earned the bases-loading walk as freshman Oona Capristo entered to run. Fales recorded her RBI single to score Fitch. Still facing no outs, Jones earned 2 RBI on her single to score both Sin and Capristo to claim SU’s second lead of the day. A sac bunt from Zepeda put both Jones and Fales into scoring position allowing Kissling to earn the RBI on her ground out to second. Fales’ run gave the Redhawks the 6-4 advantage heading into the final frame.
Santa Clara came back with three runs in the top of the seventh, scoring on a 2 RBI double and a SU error. Facing two outs, Sin recorded a base hit to get the game tying run on before Santa Clara made note of a Redhawk substitution after a hit by pitch made light of an illegal batter to force the final out of the contest.
Seattle U returns to action for its season finale in San Diego, as the Redhawks travel for a three game series against the Toreros.
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.