Bearcats Rally to Sweep Pioneers with 4-3 Win to Remain Unbeaten

By Charlie McGuire, Athletics Communications Assistant

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Willamette University baseball team rallied past Lewis & Clark College on Sunday, March 3, to sweep the three-game series and improve to 7-0 on the season. The Bearcats erased a 3-0 deficit with a four-run fourth inning to claim a 4-3 decision and improve their Northwest Conference record to 3-0.

Lewis & Clark jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning. The Pioneers used back-to-back singles and a walk to load the bases with one out. Luke Bass sent a single to right field, driving in two runs to put the hosts on the board. Jakob Ghammachi doubled to bring in another run to make the score 3-0.

The Bearcats immediately answered in the top of the fourth, scoring the final four runs of the game. Rocco Granucci (Jr., OF, San Diego, CA/Scripps Ranch HS) led off the inning with a walk and Layton Wagner (Gr., RHP/INF, Boise, ID/Timberline HS) reached on a single with one out in the inning. Clint Walker (Gr., OF, Rocklin, CA/Rocklin HS) was then hit by a pitch to load the bases.

Luke Piazza (Jr., 1B/LF, Simi Valley, CA/Royal HS) singled to put a run on the board for Willamette. Jeff Hoffman (Sr., IF, Salida, CA/Joseph A. Grigori HS) came on to pinch-hit and was hit by a pitch to drive in the Bearcats' second run of the game. The Pioneers went to the bullpen before Caden Davis (Fy., C/1B, Everett, WA/Henry M. Jackson HS) drew a walk, driving in the tying run.

Willamette took a 4-3 lead on the next at-bat as Tassos Foster (Sr., INF, Novato, CA/Novato HS) drove in the go ahead run with a sacrifice fly to center field. That would eventually be the final score as both pitching staffs were able to keep their opponents in check for the remainder of the game.

Lewis & Clark threatened to score in the seventh inning, loading the bases with one out. The Pioneers looked to tie the game with a triple-steal, but Gavin Mangano was thrown out at the plate to keep the Bearcats in front. Bass then flew out to end the inning.

Mangano led-off the ninth inning with a walk before closer Logan Haslam (Sr., RHP, San Ramon, CA/California HS) recorded outs on the next three hitters to keep the Bearcats unbeaten on the season. EJ McGrew (So., LHP, Oakland, CA/St. Mary's College Prep) improved to 2-0 with the win, holding the Pioneers to just four hits in six innings while booking five strikeouts. Pruitt Spritzer (So., RHP, Missouri City, TX/Strake Jesuit College Prep) added two strong innings of relief as well.

Wagner led the Bearcats with two hits and a run scored. Piazza had a hit, RBI and a run scored while Granucci and Carl Lawson (Sr., OF, Whittier, CA/Lutheran HS) added hits as well. Davis walked twice to go with his RBI.

The Bearcats are off to a great start under first-year Head Coach Mike Coduto. Willamette returns home to host Bethany Lutheran on Tuesday afternoon March 5 at 2 p.m. They head to Pacific Lutheran on Saturday, March 9 and 10 for a three-game Northwest Conference series. The first game on Saturday is set for 11 a.m. PST.