Fessler Blasts Fifth Homer of Season in Willamette's 6-5 Victory over Corban

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University broke a 3-3 tie with three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, and held on to defeat crosstown rival Corban University, 6-5, in a non-conference baseball game on Tuesday, March 29 at John Lewis Field.

Shea Harrison (Sr., RHP/OF, El Cerrito, CA/El Cerrito HS) walked to open the fourth inning for the Bearcats. He stole second and went to third on a throwing error on the play. He scored two outs later to break the tie on a double to left center by Kyle Paguio (Fr., 3B, Stevenson Ranch, CA/West Ranch HS). Mason Fessler (So., 3B, Woodburn, OR/Blanchet Catholic School) batted next and blasted a two-run homer to right center field. It was Fessler's team-leading fifth home run of the season.

The Warriors cut the lead to 6-5 with a two-run homer by Braden Wolgamott with two outs in the seventh inning.

Willamette closer Jackson Watt (Sr., RHP, Rocklin, CA/Whitney HS) pitched the ninth inning for the Bearcats. He struck out all three batters he faced to record his fourth save of the season.

Corban tallied one run in each of the first two innings to move in front 2-0. Vince Gonzalez singled with one out in the first inning, stole second with two outs, and scored on a single to center by Wolgamott. In the second, Kyle Kilian belted a leadoff double and scored two batters later on a single by Kyler Elliott.

WU answered with a run in the bottom of the second and two more in the third for a 3-2 lead.

Jake Bradley (Fr., OF, Laguna Niguel, CA/St. Margaret's Episcopal School) opened the second with a single, but was thrown out at second when Jack Brett (So., C, Aurora, CO/Regis Jesuit HS) hit into a fielder's choice.

Brett moved to second on a single by Tyler Janitz (Fr., SS, Modesto, CA/Joseph A. Gregori HS) and reached third on a bunt single by Harrison. Brett scored on a single by Cameron Igarashi (So., OF, Honolulu, HI/Mid-Pacific Institute) that bounced over the mound toward second base.

With two outs in the third inning, Bradley was hit by a pitch. Brett followed with a two-run homer down the right field line.

Kilian produced his second double of the day for Corban in the top of the fourth. He took third base on a wild pitch and scored on a sacrifice bunt by Elliott to tie the score.

Igarashi went 2 for 4 at the plate for Willamette. Seven other Bearcats recorded one hit during the game. Corban finished with nine hits, including Kilian's two doubles. Wolgamott went 2 for 4 with three RBIs. Gonzalez was 2 for 4 and scored twice.

Willamette used six pitchers and the Warriors sent four pitchers to the mound. Harbour Harrison (Fr., RHP, El Cerrito, CA/El Cerrito HS), who pitched the third and fourth innings for the Bearcats, improced to 2-0 with the win. He allowed one hit and one run, while also recording a strikeout. Adam Shumka, the second pitcher for Corban, fell to 0-1 on the season.

This weekend, the Bearcats will take on Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon. The Northwest Conference series will include two games on Saturday, April 2 and one game on Sunday, April 3. First pitch is slated for 12 p.m. (PST) each day.