Willamette Pounds Out 16 Hits in 10-2 Victory over Lewis & Clark

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

PASCO, WASH. -- Willamette University scored 10 runs in the first four innings and finished the game with 16 hits, as the Bearcats defeated Lewis & Clark College at the Swing into Spring Classic on Sunday, Feb. 17. Hunter Gallant (So., 3B, Rescue, CA/Ponderosa HS) went 4 for 5 for the Bearcats, while Tosh Semlacher (Jr., LF, Gold River, CA/Jesuit HS) went 2 for 4 with four RBIs.

The went moved Willamette's record to 3-2 on the season. Lewis & Clark dropped to 0-6. Although both teams compete in the Northwest Conference, it was not a conference game.

Freshman pitcher Albert Garcia (LHP, Broomfield, CO/Broomfield HS), now 1-0 on the season, threw the first five innings and allowed just four hits and no runs. He registered one strikeout and allowed one walk. Four relievers allowed just one hit and two runs -- both unearned.

Geoff Wertz from Lewis & Clark led the Pioneers with a 2-for-3 effort at the plate. The Bearcats limited L&C to five hits during the game.

WU took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. With two outs Semlacher walked, stole second and went to third on a wild pitch. Sky Kelley (Sr., RF, Portland, OR/Jesuit HS) also walked, before Semlacher scored on an unsuccessful pickoff throw.

The Bearcats gained control with six runs in the second stanza. Gallant, Matt Hirsch (Fr., SS, Edmonds, WA/Meadowdale HS) and Tanner Oates (So., DH/IF, Sparks, NV/Spanish Springs HS) each recorded hits to start the inning, with Gallant crossing the plate when Oates singled to right field.

Gordon Clary (Fr., 1B, Vacaville, CA/Vacaville HS) reached base on an infield error to load the bases, and then all of the runners advanced on a balk, sending Hirsch home for a 3-0 lead.

Tommy Kawamura (Jr., 2B, Renton, WA/Lindbergh HS) followed with an RBI single, and Semlacher added a 2-RBI single later in the inning. In between, one run scored when Tyson Giza (Sr., CF, Salem, OR/Sprague HS) reached on an error by the third baseman. Overall, WU amassed seven hits during the inning, while L&C committed two errors.

Semlacher belted a triple in the third inning with two outs and runners at the corners. Oates and Kawamura scored on the play. The Bearcats extended their advantage to 10-0 when Tiras Koon (So., C, Honolulu, HI/Iolani School) started the stanza with a single, stole second and scored on a base hit up the middle by Gallant.

The Bearcats had more than enough runs to support Garcia and the combined efforts of the bullpen.

Lewis & Clark scored one run each in the sixth and eighth innings. In the sixth, Michael Kinkenon walked, stole second, reached third on a passed ball and scored when Andrew Traver reached on an error at third base. In the eighth, Traver opened the stanza by reaching on an error. He scored later in the inning when John Trupin walked with the bases loaded.

Peter Davis (Fr., RHP/OF, Portland, OR/Jesuit HS) from Willamette went to the mound with the bases loaded. He got out of the inning quickly when Liam Healey lined into a double play and Bradley Lezak struck out.

A total of five Bearcats registered at least two hits against the Pioneers. In addition to Gallant and Semlacher other players with more than one hit were Clary, Oates and Koon. One of Clary's hits was a double in the fifth inning.

The teams combined to leave 22 runners on the base paths. WU left 10 runners on base, while L&C stranded 12 runners. On defense, Willamette turned three double plays and the Pioneers turned one.

Willamette will take on Corban University to complete the tournament on Monday, Feb. 18 at Gesa Stadium in Pasco, Wash. Game time is scheduled for 11 a.m. (PST).