2019, Brian Solack, Seattle U

Senior Day Brings Tears to Redhawk Nation Despite the Aggie Annihilation!

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The Redhawks’ senior class was honored Sunday.  Courtesy: Seattle U Athletics

First place New Mexico State came to Bannerwood Park last weekend to close out the home season of the Seattle University Redhawks.  The Redhawks were in for a challenge against the top team of the WAC conference, but the bigger challenge was honoring the senior class of 2019.  Would they succeed as the ceremonies took place just before game three on Sunday afternoon?  The senior class consisted of Michael Ciancio, Kyler Murphy, Jacob Prater, Jake Prizina, Jake Taylor and Max Werner.  The stands were packed to the brim with family and friends as game time approached. The seniors were taking the field with their family and friends before the start of the game and too be honored in style.  Seattle University didn’t disappoint in their ceremony.  Each senior was called out with family and or friends and were given gifts by the University.

These six Redhawks were a huge part of the success at Seattle University and will never be forgotten Redhawk Nation.  We wish Michael, Kyler, Jacob, Jake P, Jake T and Max all the blessings in the world as they move on to their future endeavors.  We will never forget you as the athlete or the human beings that you are.  Thank you!

The WAC-leading New Mexico State Aggies came into Friday night leading the entire college baseball nation in 7 offensive categories including having the two of the top three leaders in batting average. These are outrageous stats for playing in the WAC conference. What was more surprising was that they were not ranked in the top 25 teams in America, probably because of the conference they played in.  Watch out NCAA, they will surprise many come playoff time.  Jarrod Billig took the mound for the Redhawks on Friday hoping to build on his positive season.

Jarrod gave up 3 early runs in the first inning.  It wasn’t a Billig kind of performance as he was pulled in the third inning after giving up 4 runs on 68 pitches.  Redhawk Nation would get excited as their beloved Redhawks cut the lead to 4-2 on a 2-run single by Connor O’Brien.  In the fifth inning, the Aggies’ would plate 3 more runs to go up 7-2.  In the bottom half of the fifth inning, the Redhawks would come back with 3 more runs to cut the lead to 7-5.  The highlight of the inning was a 2-run triple by Connor O’Brien. That would be as close as Seattle University would get. Five Redhawk pitchers would allow 14 runs over the final four innings. As the Redhawk hitters went down quietly in the bottom of the 9th, the final score ended up being a football score of 21-7.  Seattle University knew that they were in for a challenge, but they didn’t realize how strong this Aggie offense truly was.

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Josh Thompson would take the mound for Seattle University but wouldn’t make it out of the second inning as the Redhawks would end up using 6 pitchers for the game as the game would be called after eight innings.  New Mexico State would be up 7-0 after 2 ½ innings before the Redhawk offense would get going.  Seattle University would plate 5 runs in the inning.  The highlight was a 3-run bomb by Freshman OF sensation Kyle Sherick!  With that said, the offense would be missing in action after that getting only 3 more hits and scoring zero runs.  The game would be called after eight innings with New Mexico State up 17-5.  It didn’t help that the Redhawk pitching staff gave up 12 hits, 14 walks and hit 5 batters during the ballgame while they committed two errors in the field.  With senior day less than 24 hours away, the team hoped that they would put on a show so they would at least close out their college career with a home win.

Senior and Redhawk future hall-of-famer Jake Prizina took the mound against the high-powered offense of the New Mexico State Aggies.  With his best friend Kyler Murphy behind the plate, Priz would not have his best stuff, but he battled like the warrior he has been his entire career.  Through three innings, the lead was only 2-0 as he held the Aggie offense in check.  In the top of the fifth inning, with the score 4-0 and a runner on base he would be pulled after 97 pitches.  To be coming back from injury and to be facing an offense like New Mexico State, Jake did pretty darn good.  He left to a standing ovation, a classy move by Coach Harrel.  He didn’t have to leave Jake in the game, but he did (turns out all seniors got the deserved ovations, hats off to you Coach Harel).

Alex Jemal came in the game and allowed Jake’s 5th run and allowed two more runs to make the game 7-0.  In the bottom of the sixth inning, the offense would wake up, slightly.  After loading the bases, DH Justin Mazzone would clear the bases with a double to make the score 7-3.  After six innings, the Redhawks seemed to have a chance.  Over the final 3 innings the Aggies would put the game out of reach.  They would plate nine runs on nine hits and two hit batters and eight walks, unacceptable but it is what it is.  At the end the final ended up being 16-3.  The offense would go silent as the Aggie ace Chance Hiroch would increase his record to 10-0 on the season.  Though the senior class was honored in style, the team fell victim to perhaps the best offense in the country.

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The Seattle University Redhawks (12-37, 7-17 WAC) go on the road to end their season against Northern Colorado for three games this weekend.  If they sweep their opponents, there is a chance that they can make the conference tournament with a miracle if a couple things happen.  Miracles do happen but let’s just concentrate on closing out the season in winning fashion and send these six fine seniors Michael Ciancio, Kyler Murphy, Jacob Prater, Jake Prizina, Jake Taylor and Max Werner out on a winning fashion.  Best of luck this weekend Seattle University Redhawks.  Redhawk Nation will be rooting from afar!

Together We Soar!

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