Willamette and Simpson Split Doubleheader

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

REDDING, CALIF. -- The Willamette University baseball team played its first games of the 2011 season on Saturday, Feb. 19, as the Bearcats split a doubleheader with Simpson University in Redding, Calif. The Red Hawks won the opening game, 7-3. The Bearcats gained the split by taking the second game, 9-2.

Willamette, which competes in NCAA Division III, ended the day 1-1 on the season. Simpson, a member of the NAIA, moved to 2-10 overall. The teams will play another doubleheader on Sunday, Feb. 20 to complete the four-game set. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m. (PST).

In the first game, Doug Bloom (Sr., SS, Salem, OR/South Salem HS) of Willamette went 2 for 4 with a double. Sky Kelley (So., OF, Portland, OR/Jesuit HS) also provided the Bearcats with two hits, including a double, in four at bats.

Devin Grindy (Sr., RHP, Washougal, WA/Camas HS) was the starting pitcher and took the loss for WU in the opener. Jake Jones (So., RHP, Wilsonville, OR/Wilsonville HS) threw three innings of relief for Willamette and allowed only one earned run.

Designated hitter Mitchell Rowan (Sr., Cotati, CA/Rancho Cotate HS) led the way on offense during Willamette's victory in the second game. He went 3 for 3 during the contest with a double and a triple. He drove in five of the Bearcats' nine runs.

Tosh Semlacher (Fr., UT, Gold River, CA/Jesuit HS) went 2 for 2 in Game #2. He blasted a triple and scored three runs for the Bearcats.

WU's starting pitcher in the second game, Blake Paisley (Jr., RHP, Saratoga, CA/Saratoga HS), earned the win after throwing six innings. He struck out two batters and allowed both runs.