Waldichuk Smacks Two Homers for Bearcats in 3-2, 10-inning Loss to Whitworth

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

HILLSBORO, Ore. -- Eric Waldichuk (So., 1B, San Diego, CA/University City HS) belted two solo home runs for Willamette University, including a game-tying launch to left center in the ninth inning, but Whitworth University scored an unearned run in the top of the 10th and held on for a 3-2 victory over the Bearcats at Ron Tonkin Field on Friday, Feb. 14. Whitworth advanced its season record to 4-1, while Willamette fell to 2-3.

Twice Waldichuk tied the game. His homer to left field in the seventh inning created a 1-1 tie after Whitworth scored the game's first run in the top of the sixth. His powerful shot to left center as the first batter in the bottom of the ninth inning sent the game into an extra inning tied at 2-2. Waldichuk leads the Bearcats with four home runs this season, and now has eight home runs in 25 career games played.

One out after Waldichuk's game-tying homer, Layton Wagner (Fy., 3B/RHP, Boise, ID/Timberline HS) singled up the middle. Pinch-runner Sean Little (Jr., RF, Corvallis, OR/Crescent Valley HS) went to second on a balk and reached third on a ground out toward the mound by Ben Setlak (Jr., OF, Evergreen, CO/Evergreen HS). Whitworth reliever Connor Grytdal forced Michael Nelsen (Jr., C, Folsom, CA/Vista Del Lago HS) to ground out to third to end the inning.

In the top of the 10th, Liam Fitzpatrick of Whitworth batted first and singled down the left field line. Jaxsen Sweum's ground ball toward third resulted in an error, as Sweum went to first and Fitzpatrick advanced to second. A sacrifice bunt toward pitcher Pruitt Spritzer (Fy., RHP, Missouri City, TX/Strake Jesuit College Prep) advanced the runners to second and third. Fitzpatrick scored the winning run on a sacrifice fly to right field by Luke Bruno.

Joey Faudskar (Sr., OF, Phoenix, AZ/Pinnacle HS) sent a single to right center for Willamette to open the bottom of the 10th. Tyler Vandemark (Jr., LF, Modesto, CA/Joseph A. Gregori HS) successfully pushed Faudskar to second with a sacrifice bunt toward third. Grytdal caused Justin Scanlon (Sr., 2B, San Jose, CA/Leigh HS/West Valley College) to ground out to third, before getting pinch-hitter Luke Werkmeister-Martin (Fy., DH/UT, Louisville, CO/Monarch HS) to hit a grounder back to the mound for the final out of the game.

Grytdal picked up the win with 3 1/3 innings of work, as he improved to 2-0. He allowed four hits, including Waldichuk's second homer, while recording two strikeouts and no walks. Spritzer, who pitched the final 2 1/3 innings for Willamette fell to 0-2, but allowed just one run on three hits. He struck out one batter and gave up one walk.

Both starters pitched well and combined to keep the game scoreless until the sixth inning. Willamette starter Justin Miller (Jr./So., RHP, Poway, CA/Poway HS/Palomar CC) threw 7 2/3 innings, allowing nine hits and two runs, while earning two strikeouts and two walks. Whitworth's starter, Matthew Young, tossed 6 2/3 innings with eight strikeouts and one walk. Willamette recorded six hits against Young, including Walidchuk's first homer.

The Pirates held a 12-10 advantage in total hits. Ben Wintringer led Whitworth by going 3 of 5 at the plate with a run scored. Fitzpatrick was 2 of 4 with a double, a walk and two runs scored. He earned 13 putouts at first base.

For Willamette, Scanlon finished 3 for 5 at the plate. Waldichuk was 2 of 4 with two runs and two RBIs, and registered 10 putouts at first base. Nelsen went 1 of 4 with a double.

The Bearcats will take on Whitman College on Saturday, Feb. 15 at Milwaukie High School in Milwaukie, Oregon. Game time is scheduled for 12 p.m. (PST).