Bearcats Edge Whitman in 10 Innings on Way to 3-2, 15-2 Sweep

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

SALEM, ORE. -- Shea Harrison (Jr., OF/RHP, El Cerrito, CA/El Cerrito HS) hit an RBI single with two outs in the bottom of the 10th inning, allowing Rolenn Himuro (Sr., OF, Honolulu, HI/Punahou School) to score the game-winning run as Willamette University edged Whitman College, 3-2, in the first game of a doubleheader on Saturday, Feb. 21.

Willamette rolled to a 15-2 win in the second game, as Hunter Gallant (Sr., 3B/SS, Rescue, CA/Ponderosa HS) led the way with a 4-for-4 performance that included three doubles, three runs and three RBIs.

The Bearcats improved to 9-0 on the season, 2-0 in the Northwest Conference. Whitman fell to 1-5 overall, 0-2 in the NWC.

Willamette and Whitman will complete the three-game series at John Lewis Field on Sunday, Feb. 22 with one game starting at 12 p.m. (PST).

The opener was a pitching duel between starters Robert Maislin of Whitman and Peter Hoffman (Sr., RHP, Hayden, ID/Lake City HS) of Willamette. Maislin struck out eight batters and allowed just three hits in seven innings. Hoffman also threw for seven innings, as he allowed eight hits and recorded three strikeouts.

A run in the top of the first inning gave Whitman an early lead. Adrian Vela earned an infield single with two outs. Peter Carmichael followed with a walk. Vela scored on a single by Paul Heywood.

The Missionaries increased their lead to 2-0 with a run in the fourth inning. As in the first stanza, the rally began with a two-out infield hit, as Court Osborn singled to third base. Jonny Chow walked and Anthony Lim hit an RBI single through the left side.

Willamette cut the margin to 2-1 in the bottom of the fourth on a run by Himuro, who was hit by a pitch to start the frame. Gallant provided a sacrifice bunt and Tiras Koon (Sr., 1B, Honolulu, HI/Iolani School) moved Himuro to third with a single to left. Himuro scored on a double by Gordie Clary (Jr., UT, Vacaville, CA/Vacaville HS) down the left field line.

Ironically, neither starting pitcher earned a decision after Willamette tied the game in the bottom of the ninth.

Clary walked to start the inning. Perry van Eckhardt (Fr., OF, El Cerrito, CA/El Cerrito HS) pinch-ran and went to second on a sacrifice bunt by Harrison. Brad Breier (Sr., C, Torrance, CA/South HS) and Devin Bales (Sr., UT, Graham, WA/Graham-Kapowsin HS/Grays Harbor College) walked to load the bases.

Nate Bush (Fr., INF, Boise, ID/Boise HS) pinch-hit and sent a ball toward second that Carmichael mishandled. The ball stayed nearby and Carmichael was able to throw out Bush at first base, but Van Eckhardt scored. A strikeout left two runners on base.

WU pitcher Andrew Koumelis (Jr., LHP, Roseville, CA/Jesuit HS/Sacramento City College) forced three groundouts in the top of the 10th.

Himuro beat out a single toward second base to start Willamette's game-winning rally in the bottom of the inning. Gallant hit a sacrifice bunt toward third base before Koon was intentionally walked. After a strikeout, Harrison went to the plate with runners still at first and second. He singled down the right field line to easily drive in Himuro.

Koumelis improved to 2-0 with the win. He allowed just one hit in three innings of relief. Henry Lin, the fourth pitcher used by the Missionaries, ell to 0-1.

Willamette struck for four runs in the first inning and three runs in the second to take a 7-0 lead in the second game. The first stanza included an RBI double by Gallant and a two-run single by Mason Fessler (Fr., INF, Woodburn, OR/Blanchet Catholic School). The fourth run scored when Harrison was hit by a pitch.

Gallant smacked another run-scoring double in the second inning. Clary and Breier each added an RBI single.

Whitman reduced the lead to 7-1 when Lin singled and later scored in the top of the third, but the Missionaries never got closer. Willamette led 9-2 after six innings and pulled away with two runs in the seventh and four in the eighth.

During the game, Willamette amassed 20 hits. In addition to four hits by Gallant, the Bearcats received two hits apiece from six other players. Troy Conway (Fr., INF, Moorpark, CA/Moorpark HS) led WU with four runs scored. Eric del Prado (Fr., INF, El Segundo, CA/Loyola HS) recorded a game-high four RBIs. Del Prado and Van Eckhardt each it one double.

Vela went 1 for 4 with a run scored for Whitman in the second game after going 3 for 4 and scoring a run in the first game.

WU starter Connor Loar (Fr., RHP, Danville, CA/San Ramon Valley HS) pitched six innings in game two and picked up the win to improve to 2-0. Whitman starter Jack Coppinger dropped to 0-2 with the loss.