Boxers Escape Bearcats with Two One-Run Wins

By Charlie McGuire, Athletics Communications Assistant

FOREST GROVE, Ore. – The Willamette University baseball team battled evenly in a Northwest Conference doubleheader at Pacific University on Saturday, April 9, but came away with a pair of one-run losses. The Boxers rallied to claim the opener, 6-5, and scored the lone run to take the nightcap 1-0. Willamette slipped 15-16 overall and 11-12 in the NWC. Pacific improved to 22-10 on the year and 13-7 in conference.

Boxers Rally in 8th, Slip Past Bearcats 6-5 in Game One

The Bearcats jumped out to an early lead in game one, scoring twice in the second inning. Trey Topping (Fy., C, Valencia, CA/West Ranch HS) led off with a single and moved to third on a double from Samuel Daly (Jr., OF, El Dorado Hills, CA/Jesuit HS). Tassos Foster (So., IF, Novato, CA/Novato HS) brought in Topping with a sacrifice fly and Rocco Granucci (Fy., OF, San Diego, CA/Scripps Ranch HS) added an RBI single.

Willamette tacked on another run in the fourth to stretch the lead to 3-0. Layton Wagner (Jr., RHP/IF, Boise, ID/Timberline HS) singled and moved all the way to third on an error. Granucci picked up another RBI as he grounded out to the right side to bring in Wagner.

Pacific pulled even in the fifth inning. Cole Strober got things started, reaching on a single and stealing second and third. The Boxers strung together five hits in the inning to score three runs and tie the game, 3-3.

The Bearcats scored lone runs in the sixth and seventh innings to regain the lead at 5-3. Wagner came around in the sixth after reaching on a fielder's choice. He advanced to second on a balk and stole third before coming in on an error.

Ryan Whithorn (Gr., IF, Claremont, CA/The Webb School) singled to lead off the seventh. He moved to third on a single from Ethan Fischel (Sr., IF, Eureka, CA/Eureka HS) and came in to score on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Jeff Hoffman (So., IF, Salida, CA/Joseph A. Grigori HS).

Pacific produced three runs in the bottom of the eight to take the lead, 6-5. After the first two hitters struck out, Stober drew a walk and moved to third on a steal and an error. After another walk, pinch-hitter Nolan McNeill hit a two-run double to left field. Ty Yukumoto singled in what would be the game-winner, putting the Boxers in front for good.

Wagner and Topping each went 2-for-4 with Wagner scoring twice and stealing a base. Granucci drove in two runs and Eric Waldichuk recorded seven strikeouts in five innings of relief.

Fischel Hits Two Doubles, but Pacific Takes Game Two 1-0

Game two saw just one run in the sixth inning as Pacific completed the sweep with a 1-0 win. Each team allowed just two hits through the opening four innings. The Bearcats strung together two hits in the sixth and threatened to score but Fischel was thrown out at the plate after reaching on a single.

The Boxers did plate a run in the bottom half of the inning, using two singles and a double to produce the lone run of the game. Ryan Krout drove in Damon Tanner after Tyler Quinn was picked off at first.

Fischel went 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles and Wagner went 2-for-4, hitting a double as well. Senior Justin Miller (RHP, Poway, CA/Poway) allowed just eight hits and one run in a seven-inning effort on the mound.

The Bearcats will travel to Pacific again on Sunday. They will play one game with the Boxers with the opening pitch set for 12 p.m. (PDT)