Pacific Breaks 2-2 Tie with 4 Runs in 8th Inning to Defeat Bearcats, 6-2

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

FOREST GROVE, ORE. -- Anthony Hinkson of Pacific University hit a bases-loaded triple in the bottom of the eighth inning to break a 2-2 tie and send the Boxers on their way to a 6-2 victory over Willamette University in a non-conference meeting between the Northwest Conference rivals on Tuesday, April 8.

Pacific improved to 10-16 on the season, while Willamette dropped to 17-11.

Despite the loss, Willamette won the season series, 3-1, after sweeping all three NWC games with the Boxers on March 29 and March 30.

The triple by Hinkson helped Pacific score four runs in the eighth. Three runs scored on the triple. Hinkson crossed the plate with the final run on a groundout by Grant Gabriel.

Brandon Chinn (Sr., OF/1B, Salem, OR/Sprague HS) led Willamette by going 2 for 4 with walk. Rolenn Himuro (Jr., OF, Honolulu, HI/Punahou School) was 1 for 1 with a double and two walks for the Bearcats.

Ben Duerr of Pacific went 2 for 3 with a run and an RBI. Hinkson was 1 for 1 with three RBIs and a run scored. He also was hit by a pitch. The Boxers outhit the Bearcats, 11-7, but Pacific committed three errors, while WU played error-free defense.

The game was scoreless until bottom of the third inning when Pacific brought in two runs. Mike Thomson singled to start the inning, and went to second on a sacrifice bunt by Grant Rogers. Duerr singled up the middle to drive in Thomson for a 1-0 lead.

Singles by Lansen Yamamoto and Nathan Suyematsu loaded the bases before Duerr scored on a sacrifice fly by Josh Keithly. Garrett Davis (Sr., RHP, Marysville, WA/Pilchuck HS) struck out Matt Hopp to end the inning.

Willamette achieved one run in the fourth inning and eventually tied the game in the top of the seventh.

In the fourth, Tiras Koon (Jr., 1B/C, Honolulu, HI/Iolani School) walked, but was thrown out at second when Tosh Semlacher (Sr., CF, Gold River, CA/Jesuit HS) hit a fielder's choice toward third. A fielding error on the next play -- also hit toward third -- sent Semlacher to second base, while Brad Breier (Jr., C, Torrance, CA/South HS) reached first.

Himuro provided a sacrifice bunt back to the mound to advance the runners. Shea Harrison (So., 2B/RHP, El Cerrito, CA/El Cerrito HS) reached base on an error at shortstop, as Semlacher scored and Breier went to third. Pacific starting pitcher Nate Montgomery got out of the jam when Tommy Kawamura (Sr., SS/2B, Renton, WA/Lindbergh HS) flied out to left field.

Harrison singled to right center and Kawamura walked to start the seventh inning. With one out, Hunter Gallant (Jr., 3B/SS, Rescue, CA/Ponderosa HS) sent the ball toward third. The Boxers threw out Kawamura at second, but a wild throw to first base allowed Harrison to score the tying run.

After Pacific moved in front 6-2 in the eighth, Willamette faced its final at bat in the ninth. Himuro started the frame with a double down the right field line. The next two Bearcats flied out, and then Chinn walked. Gallant hit a grounder toward shortstop that led to an out at second base to end the game.

Montgomery, who threw six innings for the Boxers, improved to 1-0 with the win. He gave up two runs, while allowing six hits and four walks. He earned one strikeout.

Eight Willamette pitchers each tossed one inning. They struck out a nine batters with no walks, but gave up 11 hits. Jackson Watt (So., RHP, Rocklin, CA/Whitney HS), who pitched the eighth inning, fell to 5-1 with the loss.

Willamette will return to NWC action this weekend with three games at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Wash. On Saturday, April 12, the Bearcats and the Missionaries will play two games, starting at 12 p.m. (PDT). The series will conclude with one game on Sunday, April 13 at 12 p.m.