Bearcats Score 5 Runs in 6th Inning to Break a 3-3 Tie in 9-4 Win over Boxers

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University scored five runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to break a 3-3 tie, and the Bearcats went on to claim a 9-4 victory over Pacific University during Senior Day at John Lewis Field on Sunday, May 1. By securing the non-conference win, Willamette moved above .500 to end the year with a 20-19 record. Pacific finished the season at 25-18.

WU starter Brandon Nelson (Fr., RHP, Murrieta, CA/Vista Murrieta HS) pitched six innings and improved to 4-5 with the win. He struck out five batters, while allowing three runs, six hits and one walk. Pacific starter Nathan Suyematsu fell to 0-2 after allowing eight runs -- three earned -- in 5 2/3 innings.

Jackson Watt (Sr., RHP, Rocklin, CA/Whitney HS) threw the final three innings for the Bearcats to record his seventh save of the season. He concluded his four years in second place on Willamette's all-time lists with 14 career saves and 63 career appearances.

Watt and fellow seniors Gordie Clary (Sr., RF/LHP, Vacaville, CA/Vacaville HS), Evan Giddings (Sr., RHP, El Cerrito, CA/St. Mary's HS), Austin Hagarty (Sr., 2B, Roseville, CA/Woodcreek HS), and Shea Harrison (Sr., RHP/OF, El Cerrito, CA/El Cerrito HS) were honored prior to the game.

Harrison was 3 for 4 at the plate with two runs and two RBIs. His two-run single to center field gave Willamette a 6-3 lead in the bottom of the sixth. Mason Fessler (So., 3B, Woodburn, OR/Blanchet Catholic School), who opened the inning with a triple, scored the go-ahead run on a single by Eric Del Prado.

After Del Prado singled to center, Clary reached base on a fielder's choice. Jack Brett (So., C, Aurora, CO/Regis Jesuit HS) batted next, and hit the ball short of first base. The first baseman, Taren Bradd, threw toward second in an effort to start a double play. The ball went wide of the bag, allowing Clary to advance to second, while Brett went to first.

The throwing error was a key miscue by the Boxers. One out later, with Clary at second and pinch-runner Cameron Igarashi (So., OF, Honolulu, HI/Mid-Pacific Institute) at first, Hagarty hit an infield single toward shortstop, loading the bases. Harrison then sent the first pitch he faced into center field to drive in Clary and Igarashi with unearned runs. Hagarty went to third on the play, while Harrison moved to second on the throw.

Cody Ahlgrimm replaced Suyematsu on the mound. He walked Troy Conway (So., 2B, Moorpark, CA/Moorpark HS), as WU reloaded the bases. Connor Bailey (Fr., LF, San Diego, CA/Scripps Ranch HS) provided a single up the middle to bring home Hagarty and Harrison for an 8-3 lead.

Pacific scored the game's first run in the top of the fourth. Walker Olis, the NWC Player of the Year, singled to begin the stanza. Kurtis Kloke doubled down the left field line, sending Olis to third, and then Tanner Mansell flied out to center field. Harrison made the catch and quickly sent a strike toward home. Olis was ruled safe when he reached the plate at nearly the same time as Brett's tag.

WU responded by scoring two runs in the bottom of the fourth and one in the fifth for a 3-1 lead. In the fourth, Bailey walked, stole second, went to third on a fly out by Fessler, and scored on a single up the middle by Del Prado. A wild pitch advanced Del Prado to second. He scored with two outs on a single by Brett.

In the fifth, Hagarty started the inning with a grounder that was misplayed at second base. Hagarty continued to second as Pacific's outfielders moved to retrieve the ball. He went to third on a bunt single by Harrison and scored when Suyematsu threw wide of first base.

Mansell of Pacific tied the game at 3-3 in the top of the sixth with a two-run homer that barely cleared the fence in right field. Kloke, who was on first base following a one-out single, also scored on the play.

Harrison's three hits led all players on both teams. Del Prado was 2 of 4 for WU with a run and two RBIs. Hagarty scored twice and Bailey recorded two RBIs. Charlie Dietrich and Kloke each went 2 of 4 for the Boxers. Willamette earned a 10-8 advantage in total hits.