Bearcats Move Series against Puget Sound to Roy Helser Field in McMinnville

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University's baseball series against University of Puget Sound has been moved from John Lewis Field in Salem, Oregon, to Roy Helser Field at Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon. Game times have not changed. Action will get underway on Saturday, March 12 with a doubleheader at 11 a.m. (PST). The series will conclude with one game on Sunday, March 13 starting at 12 p.m. (PDT).

The change in location was made due to the weather. Roy Helser Field has an artificial turf infield, which will allow the teams to play through most weather conditions.

Willamette enters the weekend with an 8-10 overall record and 3-6 mark in the Northwest Conference. Puget Sound is 6-10 on the season, 4-5 in the NWC.

Mason Fessler (So., 3B/DH, Woodburn, OR/Blanchet Catholic School) leads the Bearcts with a .365 batting average. He has scored 13 runs and recorded 12 RBIs. Gordie Clary (Sr., RF/LHP, Vacaville, CA/Vacaville HS) is hitting .326, while Austin Hagarty (Sr., 2B, Roseville, CA/Woodcreek HS) is batting .310 and Tyler Janitz (Fr., INF, Modesto, CA/Joseph A. Gregori HS) has hitting .309.

Perry Van Eckhardt (So., CF, El Cerrito, CA/El Cerrito HS) ranks first on the team with three home runs. Fessler tops the offensive chart with six doubles.

Pitcher Brandon Nelson (Fr., RHP, Murrieta, CA/Vista Murrieta HS) of WU owns a 3.60 earned run average. He has struck out 15 batters in 30 innings pitched.