Pacific Edges WU, 1-0, as Both Pitchers Throw Complete Games

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

FOREST GROVE, ORE. -- In a defensive battle that featured complete games from both pitchers, Pacific University scored once in the sixth inning to give the Boxers just enough offense to defeat Willamette University, 1-0, on Sunday, April 3 at Chuck Bafaro Stadium. The win allowed Pacific to gain a split of the three-game series following two wins by Willamette to start the weekend.

The winning run for the Boxers on Sunday was scored by Travis Koon, who doubled down the left field line to start the bottom of the sixth. He stole third base before scoring on a balk by Willamette pitcher Chris Torgerson (Sr., RHP, Sacramento, CA/Jesuit HS). It was Torgerson's first balk of the season.

Pacific's lone run was enough to win the contest, as Torgerson and Chad Fahey of the Boxers limited each team to five hits. Fahey struck out seven batters and walked four, while improving to 3-2 on the season. Torgerson (3-3) earned four strikeouts and allowed just one walk.

With the win, Pacific upped its record to 15-10-1 overall, 9-6 in the Northwest Conference. Willamette ended the day with an 11-13 record, including 6-9 in the NWC. The Bearcats have lost six NWC games by one run.

Willamette's five hits were scattered in five different innings. Even so, the Bearcats had runners in scoring position three times.

In the fourth inning, T.C. Lee (Sr., LF, Lafayette, CA/Acalanes HS) doubled to left center with two outs. Max Stepan (Sr., C/DH, Pueblo, CO/Pueblo County HS) walked. The Boxers ended the inning when Tosh Semlacher (Fr., DH/3B, Gold River, CA/Jesuit HS) grounded out to shortstop.

Tyson Giza (So., CF, Salem, OR/Sprague HS) singled for WU to open the sixth and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Adam Reid (Jr., RF, San Jose, CA/Lynbrook HS). After Pacific caught an outfield fly for the second out, Lee and Stepan both received walks. Semlacher followed by sending the ball into center field, but outfielder Kevin Schwartz made a catch to end the threat.

Giza added a leadoff double in the eighth, but was thrown out on his way to third when the Fahey fielded Reid's sacrifice bunt attempt. Reid advanced to second on a ground out and Lee was intentionally walked. Stepan fouled out to first base.

Pacific had the game's only two-hit inning in the top of the seventh. With two outs, Trux French hit an infield single toward Torgerson and Scott Rowland singled up the middle. The inning ended when Torgerson got Nick Tasaka to fly out to Reid in right field.

Koon was 2 for 3 at the plate for Pacific. His double was the Boxers' only extra-base hit.

For Willamette, Giza finished 2 for 4. Lee and Stepan each went 1 for 2 with two walks. Lee increased his team-leading batting average .410 on the season.

The Bearcats will play again on Saturday, April 9 against Oregon Institute of Technology in a doubleheader at John Lewis Field in Salem, Ore. First pitch is slated for 12 p.m. (PDT). Willamette and the Owls also will play a doubleheader on Sunday, April 10 starting at 12 p.m.