Walker Smacks 3-Run Homer in First Game of Doubleheader Loss to PLU

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

TACOMA, Wash. -- Clint Walker (Jr., OF, Rocklin, CA/Rocklin HS) of Willamette University belted a 3-run homer in the top of the sixth inning to break a scoreless tie, but Pacific Lutheran University scored 10 runs in the bottom of the inning and went on to defeat the Bearcats, 11-6, in the first game of a doubleheader at PLU Field on Friday, Feb. 25. In the second game, the Lutes took advantage of five errors in the first four innings to build a 7-0 lead on their way to a 10-0 victory. Just four of PLU's runs in the second game were earned.

Willamette outhit Pacific Lutheran 12-10 in the first game. PLU registered an 8-4 edge in hit during the second game.

The Lutes advanced their record to 8-2 overall, 4-1 in the Northwest Conference. Willamette slipped to 4-5 overall, 2-3 in the NWC. Willamette and PLU will conclude the series with a single game on Saturday, Feb. 26, starting at 11 a.m. (PST).

Walker Hits a Homer, Werkmeister-Martin Earns 3 Hits, in Game 1

During the opener, Luke Werkmeister-Martin (Jr., 1B, Louisville, CO/Monarch HS) of WU pounded out three hits, including a double, and earned two RBIs in five at bats. Also hitting doubles for the Bearcats in the first game were Ethan Dunnam (Jr., C, El Cajon, CA/Valhalla HS) and Trey Topping (Fy., C, Valencia, CA/West Ranch HS).

As the doubleheader got underway, both teams received strong pitching from their starters. Neither team scored during the first five innings, while Willamette held a 5-1 advantage in hits. WU starter Layton Wagner (Jr., RHP/UT, Boise, ID/Timberline HS)  and PLU starter Tommy Snyder each struck out six batters in the first five innings.

Willamette had the best chances to score in the early innings. In the first frame, singles by Wagner and Werkmeister-Martin, plus a ground out by Ethan Fischel (Sr., SS, Eureka, CA/Eureka HS), put runners at second and third with two outs. Snyder escaped by recording a strikeout.

In the top of the fourth, Fischel reached base on a fielding error by the shortstop. He went to third base when Dunnam doubled to center field with one out. With two outs, Rocco Granucci (Fy., OF, San Diego, CA/Scripps Ranch HS) walked to load the bases, but Snyder got out of the jam with a strikeout.

The Bearcats had two out in the top of the sixth inning before they created a 3-0 lead. Tassos Foster (So., INF, Novato, CA/Novato HS) was hit by a pitch and Granucci singled through the left side. Walker followed with a 3-run homer to left field.

Pacific Lutheran used seven hits and five walks to score 10 runs in the bottom of the sixth. Five of the hits were doubles by Andy Schmitz, Troi Doten, Jordan Haworth, Sean Kauffman, and Alex Boyd. Later, Boyd tripled to lead off PLU's half of the eighth inning and scored on a ground out by Braeden Lundberg.

Boyd was 3 of 4 with three runs and two RBIs during the game, while hitting for three-fourths of the cycle. Schmitz was 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Hoffman Goes 3 for 3 for Bearcats during Game 2

The Lutes scored in each of the first four innings of the second game. In the first inning, Doten singled with one out and later went to second on a throwing error from behind the plate. He scored on a single by Cole Trotignon.

In the second inning, Kauffman batted first and was hit by a pitch. One out later, Connor Lemma was hit by a pitch and Braeden Lundberg walked. Schmitz reached base on a fielder's choice that led to a throwing error, allowing Lundberg to reach second and third, while Kauffman and Lemma crossed the plate.

PLU added two more runs in the third inning for a 5-0 lead. With two outs, Kauffman was hit by a pitch, stole second base, and scored when Boyd hit into a fielding error at second. Boyd went to third on a single by Lemma and eventually scored on a single by Lundberg. The Lutes added two runs in the fourth on a sacrifice fly by Tortignon and an RBI ground out by Ashton Barton.

Pacific Lutheran tallied the last three runs of the game in the bottom of the eighth. The first two batters were put out, but Troignon doubled, Barton walked, and Kauffman singled to load the bases. All three runners scored when Boyd hit a double to center field.

Jeff Hoffman (So., 3B, Salida, CA/Joseph A. Grigori HS) of Willamette went 3 for 3 with a double in the second game. Lundberg was 2 for 2 with an RBI for PLU. Trotignon went 2 for 4 with a run, a double, and two RBIs.

Spencer Howell, 2-0, threw the first seven innings for PLU and earned the win. He allowed just four hits, while recording four strikeouts and walking two batters. Eric Waldichuk (Sr., RHP, San Diego, CA/University City HS), who started for WU, fell to 1-1 with the loss. He allowed five runs in 2 2/3 innings, but only one run was earned. Waldichuk limited PLU to three hits while accumulating three strikeouts and one walk.