The Washington Huskies found themselves in a familiar spot on Tuesday—digging out of an early hole. Despite a late rally, they couldn't complete the comeback, falling 4-3 to Seattle University at home. It's a tough loss that drops the Huskies to 21-27 on the season, and one that will have them looking for answers as they head into a crucial road stretch.
The game unraveled quickly for Washington. In the top of the first inning, Seattle U pounced, plating all four of their runs. Designated hitter Royce Hale started the damage with an RBI single, followed by a double from left fielder Ryder Manale. First baseman Tyler Jackson then delivered the knockout punch with a two-run single. By the time the dust settled, the Redhawks had 11 hits on the day and a 4-0 lead.
The Huskies showed some fight in the bottom of the second. Right fielder Ian Draper drove in a run with a groundout, and Kevin Spear added a sacrifice fly. Then, left fielder Jackson Hotchkiss stepped up and launched his 17th home run of the season—a solo blast that cut the deficit to 4-3. It was a moment of pure power from a player who has been on fire all year. But that was all the offense Washington could muster. The Huskies went 0-for-10 with runners on base, a statistic that tells the story of missed opportunities.
On the mound, starter Jaxson Gore took the loss, falling to 1-1 on the year. He worked just two innings, allowing four runs on five hits. Coach Eddie Smith turned to four relievers who combined for seven strikeouts and just one walk—a solid performance that kept the game within reach, but the early deficit proved too much to overcome. For Seattle U, Isaac Hallam earned the win with three strong innings of relief, improving to 2-3.
For Washington, the loss also means dropping the season series to their crosstown rivals. But there's no time to dwell. The Huskies now face their longest road trip of the year, heading to Penn State for a three-game series starting Friday, May 8, at 2:30 p.m. PT. It's a chance to regroup and build momentum—and for fans, a perfect opportunity to gear up in their favorite Huskies apparel as the team looks to turn the page.