Pacific Outscores Willamette 12-10 in Third Game of NWC baseball Series

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director

FOREST GROVE, Ore. -- Pacific University earned 19 hits and took advantage of five Willamette University errors, as the Boxers outscored the Bearcats, 12-10, in the third game of a Northwest Conference baseball series on Sunday, April 3.

The Boxers built leads of 7-1 and 12-5, before WU put together a big rally with five runs in the top of the ninth. The tying runs were on base -- and the potential winning run was at the plate -- when Pacific pitcher Brandon Henderson struck out Cameron Igarashi (So., OF, Honolulu, HI/Mid-Pacific Institute) to end the game.

Despite falling short in the ninth-inning rally, the Bearcats still took the series two games to one. Willamette won both games on Saturday, 8-6 and 12-4. Including the loss on Sunday, the Bearcats are now 16-15 overall, 10-11 in the NWC. Pacific improved to 18-11 on the season, 11-7 in the NWC.

For Willamette, Connor Bailey (Fr., LF, San Diego, CA/Scripps Ranch HS) earned hits in his first three at bats in Sunday's game to extend his streak to eight consecutive hits. He was 5 for 5 in the second game on Saturday to begin the string of successful at bats.

The Bearcats took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. With one out, Bailey singled to left center, and then stole second base. Mason Fessler (So., 3B, Woodburn, OR/Blanchet Catholic School) singled to right center before Eric Del Prado (So., 1B, El Segundo, CA/Loyola HS) reched on a fielding error by shortstop Charlie Dietrich. Bailey scored on the play.

Pacific scored three runs in the second inning on four hits and an error. The Boxers received RBI singles from Dietrich, Kane Ulrich and Olis.

The Boxers added four unearned runs in the bottom of the fourth for a 7-1 lead. The offensive success included a sacrifice fly by Kurtis Kloke and a two-run double by Dylan Wright. WU committed two errors during the stanza.

Willamette reduced the lead to 7-3 with a pair of runs in the Bearcats' next at bat. Bailey drove in one run with an RBI double to left center. Fessler brought in Bailey with another double to left center.

After Pacific scored once in the sixth, both teams plated two runs in the seventh. Del Prado earned an RBI double in Willamette's half of the seventh inning. The Boxers added two runs in the eighth for a 12-5 lead.

The five-run rally by WU in the top of the ninth, featured 10 batters, five singles and two walks. Jake Bradley (Fr., OF, Laguna Niguel, CA/St. Margaret's Episcopal School) drove in two runs. Jack Brett (So., C, Aurora, CO/Regis Jesuit HS), Perry Van Eckhardt (So., CF, El Cerrito, CA/El Cerrito HS) and Austin Hagarty (Sr., 2B, Roseville, CA/Woodcreek HS) each achieved one RBI.

Bailey finished 3 for 4 with two runs and an RBI for Willamette. Del Prado went 3 for 5 with a run and an RBI. Olis of Pacific went 4 for 5 to go with two runs and two RBIs, while Wright finished 4 for 6, scored twice and brought in two runs.

The Bearcats will host Lewis & Clark College in a non-conference game on Tuesday, April 5. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. (PDT).