Seattle University baseball won a close game against Washington State, 12-11, on May 12. The match took place in Pullman, with the Redhawks led by strong performances from Royce Hale and Jared Stevenson.
The victory is significant for Seattle U as it provides momentum heading into their upcoming series against Gonzaga. Head Coach Donny Harrel said, “Big offensive day for us to get some momentum going into the Gonzaga series. Hale was unbelievable with seven runs batted in and the game winning HR. Hallam was good out front, then the bridge part of our pen could not get outs in the 6th, but Stone really stepped up to hold the game tied for us to allow Hale to get the big knock.”
Hale went three-for-five at bat and matched a program record with seven runs batted in. Stevenson had four hits and was just one home run short of hitting for the cycle as Seattle U collected twelve runs on eleven hits during the game.
Seattle U started strong with an eight-run lead through four innings before Washington State responded with ten runs over three innings to tie the score going into the eighth inning. In that frame, after Tyler Horner reached base on an error, Hale hit his fifth home run of the season to put Seattle back ahead.
Blake Smith pitched late in relief and secured his third save of the season after closing out a tense ninth inning where Washington State scored once more before Kenneth Rhein caught a pop-up to end it. Harrel said again about his pitching staff: “Hallam was good out front, then the bridge part of our pen could not get outs in the 6th,” adding “Stone really stepped up to hold the game tied for us to allow Hale to get the big knock.”
With this win, Seattle University moves their record to eighteen wins and twenty-eight losses this year while splitting their season series against Washington State. The team will next face Gonzaga in a three-game conference series starting Thursday.
