Lumberjacks Fall to Redhawks in WAC Semifinals

Friday, May 12

Phoenix, AZ

10:00 p.m.

Stephen F. Austin

30-24

Seattle University

36-19

Seattle

SFA

Lumberjacks Fall to Redhawks in WAC Semifinals

5/13/2023 12:37:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

By: Jace Green, Assistant for Strategic Communications

PHOENIX, Ariz.- The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks faced off against the Seattle Redhawks, in the WAC semifinals. SFA fell to Seattle 9-10, after eight innings of play.

The Lumberjacks wasted no time getting on the board. Singles by Camryn Middlebrook and Mallory Webb got SFA into scoring position quickly. Gaby Garcia's fly out to center field was just enough to secure the RBI, scoring Middlebrook in the bottom of the first inning. Lexi Benson kept things going with her RBI double that brought Webb home. SFA found themselves with two runners on base, after Emily Berryhill drew a walk with two outs. Seattle was unable to stop the first inning bleeding, following Kelby Robbins two RBI double that scored Benson and Berryhill. The Lumberjacks found themselves up 4-0, after one inning of play.

After a strong first inning by SFA, the Redhawks fired back. The second inning got started with a Kalyn Hill walk, followed by singles from both Sydney Frankenberger and Katie Walling. With bases loaded, the Redhawks were able to even things out. RBIs by Lily Garcia, Olivia Viggiano, and Tai Wilson made the score 3-3 in the top of the second inning. Seattle got one last jab in, before the end of the inning. Following Jocelynn De La Cruz's two RBI double, the Redhawks took a 5-3 lead halfway through the second inning.

Mikaelah Burkland got things started for the Lumberjacks in the bottom of the second inning with a walk. Middlebrook and Webb got on base, following their second singles of the game. The 'Jacks found the lead in the bottom of the second inning, following Mackenzie Bennett's two RBI single. Benson was able to grab her second hit on the day and load the bases up for SFA, following her single. However, the Redhawks great defensive stand would leave all three runners stranded. After two innings, SFA held a 6-5 lead.

The offensive clinic kept going through the third inning. Lilly Garcia would tie things up, following her RBI triple. Seattle regained the lead after Olivia Viggiano found her second RBI of the day, scoring Garcia. The Redhawks held a 7-6 lead over the Lumberjacks, halfway through the third inning.

Both teams made strong defensive stands, after the third inning. SFA decided to crank up the offensive intensity in the bottom of the sixth inning. Garcia's single, brought Madison Nguyen in as a pinch runner. It wouldn't matter, as Bennett would bring Nguyen all the way to the plate, following a two RBI skyscraper over the right side wall, 8-7. The Lumberjacks weren't quite done, as Benson would string up back-to-back home runs for SFA. After six innings of play, SFA led Seattle 9-7.

In the palm of defeat the Redhawks did everything they could to send this game into extras. Seventh inning singles by Sydney Frankenberger, Mekenzie Madokoro, and Lily Garcia set up multiple runners in scoring position. Madison Kahwaty and Tai Wilson were both able to secure RBIs between their two at-bats and send this game into extra innings. At the end of seven innings the score was knotted at 9-9.

Sydney Frankenberger continued her monster game, grabbing a clutch triple in the top of the eighth inning. Frankenberger would find the plate, following Mekenzie Madokoro's single up the middle. The Redhawks led 10-9, halfway through the eighth inning.

SFA would have one last chance in the bottom of the eighth inning. After Bennett hit a double to get into scoring position, the SFA offense fell stagnant once again. After eight innings of play, Seattle won 10-9 over SFA, and advances to the WAC championship game.

Sophie Hannabas pitched 1.2 innings, faced ten batters, gave up five hits, as well as five earned runs. Brooke Gainous was brought on in relief. Gainous pitched the rest of the game (6.1 innings), facing 33 batters, giving up 13 hits, 5 runs, and recording one strikeout. Gainous also received the loss knocking her record to 14-10 on the year.

SFA finishes the season with a 30-24 record. In a season led by the seniors (Garcia, Bennett, Middlebrook, Reagyn Parrish, and Sydnee Hebert), they led the team in almost every offensive stat category. Garcia finishes her career at SFA with two record breaking games. She broke the single-season home run record against NMSU at home and the career home run record against CBU in the conference tournament.