Bearcats Prevail in Second Game, 8-4, to Split Doubleheader with George Fox

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director

SALEM, Ore. -- Austin Hagarty (Sr., 2B, Roseville, CA/Woodcreek HS) and Mason Fessler (So., INF, Woodburn, OR/Blanchet Catholic School) each scored twice, and the Bearcats took advantage of nine hits and 12 walks, as Willamette University downed George Fox University, 8-4, in the second game of a Northwest Conference doubleheader on Saturday, Feb. 27 at John Lewis Field. George Fox won the first game 13-3 after holding a slim 4-3 lead at the start of the sixth inning.

Willamette ended the day at 7-7 overall, 2-3 in the Northwest Conference. George Fox moved to 8-5, 4-1 in the NWC. The teams will conclude the series with a single game at John Lewis Field on Sunday, Feb. 28. First pitch is set for 12 p.m. (PST).

In the opener, George Fox scored three runs in the sixth inning to increase its advantage to 7-3. The Bruins plated another four runs in the eighth on a grand slam by Riley McKean, and then completed the scoring with two runs in the ninth.

Seven Bearcats Earn Hits as Willamette Wins Game 2

The Bearcats trailed 1-0 after the first half-inning of the second game, but tallied three runs in the bottom the stanza and never trailed again.

Willamette's first three batters received walks, as Hagarty, Connor Bailey (Fr., OF, San Diego, CA/Scripps Ranch HS) and Fessler loaded the bases. With one out and the bases still loaded, Tyler Janitz (Fr., INF, Modesto, CA/Joseph A. Gregori HS) hit a two-run single to right center, bringing home Hagarty and Bailey. Fessler scored the third run when Eric Del Prado (So., INF, El Segundo, CA/Loyola HS) grounded out to the shortstop.

George Fox cut the lead to 3-2 with a run in the top of the fourth. Clay Mott singled, went to second on a sacrifice bunt by Ansel Webster, and scored on a double to right center by Caylen Clardy.

Two runs in the fifth inning increased WU's advantage to 5-2. Fessler pounded the first pitch of the inning for a double to right center. Two outs later, Del Prado also doubled, sending Fessler home from second base. After Shea Harrison (Sr., LF/RHP, El Cerrito, CA/El Cerrito HS) walked, Perry Van Eckhardt (So., CF, El Cerrito, CA/El Cerrito HS) drove in Del Prado with a single to right center.

The Bruins earned their third run in the sixth inning. Brandon Wileman started the stanza with a single that hit starting pitcher Matt Steindorf (Fr., RHP, Granite Bay, CA/Granite Bay HS) and bounced into foul territory. Wileman went to third on a double by Webster with one out, and scored on a groundout by Clardy.

GFU pulled within 5-4 with a run in the top of the seventh, before relief pitcher Brendan Natuzzi (Fr., INF, Napa, CA/ Justin-Siena HS) entered the game with two outs and the based loaded. Natuzzi forced Clardy to fly out to Van Eckhardt in center field to end the inning.

The Bearcats plated three insurance runs in the bottom of the inning on a leadoff single by Harrison and five walks. Harrison moved to second when Van Eckhardt walked. The runners advanced to second and third on a sacrifice bunt by Jacob Parra (Jr., C, Everett, WA/Mariner HS/Edmonds CC). Hagarty walked to fill the bases.

Bailey was issued a walk, forcing Harrison across the plate. The Bruins then recorded the second out on a line drive to second base. Ty Wyatt (So., INF, Keizer, OR/McNary HS) and Janitz walked, bringing in Van Eckhardt and Hagarty. The Bruins ended the inning when the catcher, Webster, tagged home plate for a force out following a dropped third strike.

Harrison and Van Eckhardt each went 2 for 4 with a run scored for Willamette. Van Eckhardt also earned one RBI. Janitz was 1 for 3 with a game-high three RBIs. Hagarty led all players with three walks.

Webster was 2 of 3 for the Bruins. Clardy finished 2 for 4 with two RBIs. Mott ws 2 for 5 and score one run.

Natuzzi limited George Fox to one hit in the eighth inning and no hits in the ninth to earn his first save. He allowed only one hit, and had one walk and one strikeout, in 2 1/3 innings. Steindorf, who went 6 2/3 innings, recorded the win and improved to 2-1 on the season.

GFU starter Alex Jondal, who entered the game with a 0.52 eared run average, gave up seven hits and five earned runs in five innings. He fell to 2-1 with the loss.

Bruins Pull Away from Bearcats in Game 1

In the first game, both teams scored twice in the first inning. For the Bruins, AJ Valencia doubled, and Andrew Reichenbach belted a two-run homer to right field with one out.

Hagarty opened the bottom of the inning with a single and stole second base. After Bailey singled, Fessler hit a sacrifice bunt and Wyatt walked to load the bases. Janitz hit into a fielder's choice, as Wyatt was thrown out at second and Hagarty scored. A single by Del Prado scored Bailey.

GFU edged in front in the second inning, 3-2, and added another run in the top of the third. In the second, McKean hit a leadoff single down the right field line and stole second. He scored on a single down the left field line by Connor Newell. Gabe Louthan singled to start the third stanza. He stole second one out later and crossed the plate when Jacob Woehler followed with a single.

Willamette reduced the margin to 4-3 when Hagarty singled with two outs in the fourth inning and scored on a double to left center by Bailey. Fessler walked, but GFU's starting pitcher, Dustin Wells, forced Wyatt to fly out to right field to end the threat.

The Bruins earned their three runs in the sixth inning on just two hits. Kadyn Nannini singled. Clardy hit a sacrifice bunt, but reached first on a fielder's choice when Nannini beat the throw to second. Valencia also bunted, sending the ball near the mound. Pitcher Brandon Nelson (Fr., RHP, Murrieta, CA/Vista Murrieta HS) threw wide of first base, allowing Nannini to score and Clardy to reach third.

Louthan followed with another sacrifice bunt. He was thrown out at first, as Valencia went to second and Clardy held at third. A groundout to the pitcher by Reichenbach left the runners at the corners for Woehler, who hit a two-RBI single to left field.

Neither team scored again until McKean's grand slam home run over the left field fence in the eighth inning. GFU led 11-3.

Valencia was 4 for 5 during the game with four runs and two RBIs. McKean also went 4 for 5, while earning two runs and four RBIs. Nannini was 3 for 5 and scored twice. The Bruins outhit the Bearcats, 17-10.

Hagarty went 2 of 3 for Willamette with two runs scored. Janitz and Del Prado each finished 2 for 4 with an RBI, while Bailey was 2 for 4 with a run and one RBI.

Wells pitched the first six inning for GFU to achieve the win and improve to 3-1 on the season. He allowed nine hits and three runs. Nelson, now 1-2, went 5 1/3 innings for Willamette and allowed 10 hits and seven runs (four earned). He struck out four batters and did not allow a walk.