Pacific Uses Two Big Innings to Defeat Bearcats, 13-3

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

FOREST GROVE, ORE. -- Pacific University scored seven runs on seven hits and three errors in the third inning, and tacked on five runs in the fifth, as the Boxers defeated Willamette University, 13-3, in the third game of a Northwest Conference baseball series on Saturday, March 30. The Bearcats, who swept Friday's doubleheader, 4-1 and 5-1, still claimed the series two games to one.

Willamette fell to 11-16 on the season, 6-9 in the NWC. Pacific upped its record to 8-16, including 5-7 in the NWC.

Tyson Giza (Sr., CF, Salem, OR/Sprague HS) of Willamette opened the game with a walk and went on to score in the first inning. Austin Hagarty (Fr., IF, Roseville, CA/Woodcreek HS) advanced Giza to second with a sacrifice bunt.

Hunter Gallant (So., 3B, Rescue, CA/Ponderosa HS) hit a single to put runners at the corners. Brad Breier (So., C, Torrance, CA/South HS) followed with a double down the left field line that scored Giza and sent Gallant to third. Matt Hirsch (Fr., SS, Edmonds, WA/Meadowdale HS) drove in Gallant with a single, as Willamette took a 2-0 lead.

Pacific escaped further damage in the inning. The Boxers registered the second out when Hirsch was thrown out attempting to steal second base. Brandon Chinn (Jr., 1B, Salem, OR/Sprague HS) walked, but Ben Petersen (Sr., C, Rocklin, CA/Rocklin HS/Butte College) flied out to right field.

The Boxers cut the lead to 2-1 in the bottom of the second inning. Dan Jaffe singled to left and Michael Arakaki hit an infield single. Nick Tasaka attempted a sacrifice bunt that resulted in Jaffe being thrown out at third. A single by Charlie Gaff loaded the bases.

Donnie Bradley drove in Arakaki with a sacrifice fly. A walk reloaded the bases, but WU starting pitcher Brandon Simon (Sr., RHP, Los Angeles, CA/Pacific Hills School) got out of the inning when Walker Olis flied out to right field.

In the third inning, the Boxers took greater advantage of their hits, as they registered six singles, plus a double by Walker. Three errors, a walk and one wild pitch also contributed to the seven-run outburst, as the Boxers achieved just three RBIs.

Willamette scored one run in the top of the fourth to cut the lead to 8-3. Brandon Chinn (Jr., 1B, Salem, OR/Sprague HS) singled and was still at first with two outs, when Rolenn Himuro (So., OF, Honolulu, HI/Punahou School) reached first on an error by second baseman Anson Arakaki. Giza singled to center field, bringing Chinn across the plate.

Pacific extended its control with five runs in the fifth inning. Logan Moen drove in the first run on a groundout to first base. The next run was scored on a double by Jaffe, and another run scored on a double by Tasaka. Gaff contributed the final two RBIs on a double to left center.

Matt Delgato pitched the first five innings for Pacific and received the win to improve to 4-1. After Delgato held WU scoreless in the fifth inning, three relievers combined to allow no runs and one hit over the final four stanza. Simon fell to 3-3 with the loss for Willamette.

Michael Arakaki was 3 for 4 with three runs and one RBI for the Boxers, while Bradley went 3 for 4, scored once and drove in a run. Olis went 2 for 3, scored twice and hit two of Pacific's five doubles.

Seven Willamette players recorded one hit apiece. Giza finished 1 for 4 with a run and an RBI. He also earned three putouts in center field. Chinn was 1 for 2 with a walk and a run scored.

The Bearcats will host crosstown rival Corban University on Tuesday, April 2 at John Lewis Field. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. (PDT).