May 11, 2007
Box Score
TURLOCK, Calif. - After losing an early lead and falling behind in extra innings, the Seattle University softball team rallied in the bottom of the tenth inning, but could not come all the way back, falling to Hawaii-Hilo, 3-2, on the second day of the NCAA West Regional Friday afternoon at Warrior Field on the campus of Cal State Stanislaus.
Down 3-1 in the third extra inning, Seattle's rally started with a single by Amanda Nilles (Spokane, Wash.). Cassie Cueto (Benton City, Wash.) reached on a fielding error, and then Megan MacIsaac (Santa Barbara, Calif.) walked with one out to load the bases. After Brenda Stice (Poulsbo, Wash.) struck out, Heather Hansen (Redmond, Wash.) drew a walk to force in Nilles, but the rally ended when Katie Ledbetter (Kennewick, Wash.) popped out to the shortstop.
Hawaii-Hilo scored twice in the top of the tenth inning as Leo Sing Chow drove in Zoie Sevilla and Kanani Numata with a single that landed just inside the right field line. The Vulcans had tied the game in the sixth inning on a single to left field by Charity Senas that scored pinch runner Paige Kurosawa.
Seattle University scored first in the game, as Nilles led off the third inning with a double to left-center field. After Katie Antich (Spokane, Wash.) sacrificed Nilles to third base, Katie Petersen (Mission Viejo, Calif.) hit a fly ball to right-center field that Numata seemingly had caught. However, Numata collided with Sevilla, jarring the ball loose and allowing Nilles to score.
The Redhawks had chances to increase their lead. Stice singled later in the third inning to put two runners on base, but Hansen popped out to end the inning. In the fourth frame, Ledbetter led off with a single, and Kelli Marek (Renton, Wash.) earned a single and a stolen base to put runners on second and third with just one out. However, Nilles flied out to center field and Antich's liner found the glove of second baseman Vanessa Badosa, ending the Seattle threat.
Winning pitcher Sarah Weisskopf came on in relief of Vulcan starter Tracy Ryan, allowing only two hits, two walks, and an unearned run in six innings, striking out six Redhawks along the way. Erin Martin (Valencia, Calif.) pitched all ten innings for Seattle University, allowing seven hits and three runs, walking three and striking out three.
With the loss, Seattle University (32-22) falls into the loser's bracket and will need to win five consecutive games to earn the regional title. That march starts Saturday, May 12, against Sonoma State at 9 a.m.