Bearcats to Play at Puget Sound in Doubleheader on Tuesday

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

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University and University of Puget Sound will play two make-up games in baseball on Tuesday, April 7 in Tacoma, Wash. The doubleheader was rescheduled after it was rained out on March 15. The teams will begin playing the first game on Tuesday at 12 p.m. (PDT).

Willamette enters the twinbill with an 18-10 overall record, including 10-9 (6th place) in the Northwest Conference. Puget Sound is 13-15 on the season, 11-8 (4th place) in the NWC. Both teams will be looking to sweep the doubleheader to gain momentum in the tight race for the NWC Tournament, which will feature the top four teams in the final regular season standings.

Tiras Koon (Sr., 1B, Honolulu, HI/Iolani School) continues to lead Willamette's offense with a .378 batting average (34 of 90). He also ranks first on the team with 23 runs, 29 RBis and seven home runs. He hit two home runs in Willamette's second game against Pacific University this past weekend, as he blasted a two-run shot and smacked a grand slam.

Troy Conway (Fr., 2B, Moorpark, CA/Moorpark HS) follows with a .333 average (27 of 18). Conway has scored 17 runs and is 6 for 6 on stolen bases. Gordie Clary (Jr., RF/RHP, Vacaville, CA/Vacaville HS) is batting .321 with seven doubles, 12 runs and 12 RBIs.

Also hitting above .300 are Hunter Gallant (Sr., 3B, Rescue, CA/Ponderosa HS) and Mason Fessler (Fr., INF, Woodburn, OR/Blanchet Catholic School). Gallant, whose average is .310, leads the Bearcats with 100 at bats and is tied with Clary for first place with seven doubles. Gallant ranks second on the team with 21 runs and 21 RBIs. Fessler is batting .300.

The Bearcats have outscored their opponents 163-123 and have attained a 152-110 advantage in RBIs. Willamette is 27 of 35 on stolen bases.

Willamette owns a 3.62 team earned run averaged with 186 strikeouts in 251 innings pitched. Jackson Watt (Jr., RHP, Rocklin, CA/Whitney HS) has a 3.18 ERA to go along with a 4-2 record, while Connor Loar (Fr., RHP, Danville, CA/San Ramon Valley HS) is 4-3 with a 3.56 ERA, and Peter Hoffman (Sr., RHP, Hayden, ID/Lake City HS) is 3-2 with a 3.67 ERA.

Watt ranks first on the squad with 50 strikeouts. Hoffman has recorded 40 strikeouts and Loar as earned 31 strikeouts.

Since both teams played three games over the weekend, relief pitchers may see significant action. For WU, top relievers include Andrew Koumelis (Jr., LHP, Roseville, CA/Jesuit HS/Sacramento City Coll.), Shea Harrison (Jr., RHP/OF, El Cerrito, CA/El Cerrito HS), Lucas Still (Fr., RHP, Sacramento, CA/Christian Brothers HS) and Tyler Olson (Sr., RHP, Yuba City, CA/Yuba City HS).

Koumelis is 2-1 with a 2.12 ERA. Harrison has a 2.57 ERA, while Still has achieved a 3.07 ERA. Olson is 2-0 with a 3.15 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 20 innings pitched.

Pugt Sound's top hitter is Bobby Hosmer (Sr., C) with a .444 batting average (32 of 72). He ranks third on the team with 24 RBIs. Connor Savage (Sr., OF) has a .388 average and leads the Loggers with 34 runs scored.

Cal Muramaru (Fr., OF) is batting .355 with 20 runs scored. Chris Zerio (Jr., IF) has earned a .345 average with 23 runs. He is tied for the team lead with 25 RBIs. As a team, Puget Sound is hitting .320 on the season with 57 doubles.

The Loggers have a 4.63 team ERA. Joshua Zavisbuin (Fr., RHP) is 2-0 on the season with a stingy 0.57 ERA in 15 2/3 innings. Zak Holcomb (Jr./So., RHP) has contributed a 1.69 ERA. Collin Maier (So., RHP) ranks first for UPS with 55 1/3 innings pitched and 53 strikeouts. He is 3-3 with a 2.60 ERA.