Game 1: Seattle U 6, LMU 5

Loyola Marymount (15-13) got on the board first as Seattle U left one on base to end the top of the first. In the bottom of the inning, Hannah Montalban scored the opening run to put the Lions ahead early, 1-0.

The Redhawks fought back, taking the 6-1 lead through three innings. In the second, Allegra Wilde (Kennewick, Wash.) doubled to left center to drive in Jenny Hurst (Laguna Niguel, Calif.) and Isabella Geronimo (San Mateo, Calif.) and in the next inning, SU added four runs to their total. Brianna Guerrero (Buena Park, Calif.) and Hurst each hit 2RBI singles in the offensively powerful inning.

Neither team scoring in the fourth, LMU only left one on base as Stephanie Crist was stranded at first following a walk.

The score still 6-1, LMU fought back with a pair of runs in each of the fifth and sixth innings. In the fifth, Meghan Harman was hit by pitch with the bases loaded to drive in the first run and, later in the inning, Breeanna Sandoval singled to shortstop. Of note in the sixth, Montalban hit another RBI single up the middle to make the score 6-5. SU left two on base, including Geronimo at third, but a final groundout ended the inning for the Redhawks.

Neither team able to score in the seventh, with quick three-and-outs for each team, the final score remained 6-5 as the Redhawks topped the Lions.

Guerrero led SU with two hits, as six other Redhawks recorded one hit apiece. The Redhawks outhit the Lions, 8-7.

In the circle, three Seattle U pitchers saw playing time, as Mandie Sugita (Rossmoor, Calif.) earned the start and win, allowing three runs while walking three and striking out three in 4 1/3 innings pitched. Jessica Ulrich (Lewiston, Idaho) entered in relief, allowing two runs and striking out one in one inning pitched, and Richelle Ashburn (Post Falls, Idaho) notched the save, striking out one in 1 2/3 innings pitched.

For the Lions, Dana Waldusky was handed the loss, allowing three runs while walking two in two innings pitched. Crist allowed the final three runs on three hits in just 2/3 innings pitched, and Sydney Gouveia finished the game, allowing just one hit while striking out eight in 4 1/3 innings pitched.

Game 2: CSUN 10, Seattle U 2 (6 innings)

As neither team could score in the first two innings, they each left a runner on base in the first. Sarah Petosa (Federal Way, Wash.) was left stranded on second, and CSUN’s Madalyne Handy advanced to third before a final out ended the inning.

Seattle U scored first in the top of the third as Wilde scored after a Bubba Morrow (Auburn, Wash.) single, with all runners advancing on a fielding error by the CSUN outfield. The Redhawks could not add to their lead as they left two runners in scoring position to end the inning.

With the Redhawks in the lead, 1-0, CSUN took the 2-1 lead, which would prove to be the lead for good, on a sacrifice bunt by Mia Pagano and an RBI single by Mikayla Thielges later in the inning.

Neither team scoring in the fourth inning, the Matadors added three runs in the bottom of the fifth to take the 5-1 lead. Highlighting the inning for CSUN was a 2RBI double to left field by Maylynn Mitchell. The Matadors again loaded the bases, but SU stranded all three on base to end the inning.

The Redhawks added another run to their total in the top of the sixth to close the margin to three, 5-2, as Hurst hit an RBI double to center field, driving in Guerrero. But, in the bottom of the inning, CSUN scored five runs, including Thielges’ 2RBI home run to left field, to put the run rule in effect and come away with the 10-2 win in six innings.

Ashburn was handed the loss in the start for Seattle U, allowing five runs on eight hits while striking out two in 4 2/3 innings pitched. Ulrich allowed the final five runs on five hits while walking one and striking out one in 2/3 inning pitched. Breonna Chrisman (Snohomish, Wash.) saw her first action in the circle for SU, facing the final batter of the contest.

For the Matadors, Shelly Tait earned the win, allowing just one run on three hits while walking one and striking out two in four innings pitched. Brianna Elder allowed one run on three hits while striking out two in two relief innings pitched.

The Redhawks return to action in their final day at the Cal State Northridge Invitational on Sunday, Mar. 17, again facing LMU at 9:30 a.m. and Cal State Northridge (12-18) at 12 p.m.