Willamette Shuts Out Lewis & Clark, 9-0

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, ORE. -- The Willamette University men's tennis team rolled past a depleted Lewis & Clark College squad, 9-0, on Sunday, March 28 at the Courthouse Tennis Club. The Bearcats, ranked #11 in the NCAA Division III West Region, improved to 9-5 overall, 9-3 in the Northwest Conference. L&C, which competed with just four players due to illness and injury, ended the day at 0-16 overall, 0-14 in the NWC.

Willamette two-sport athlete Luke Lagattuta (Sr., Albuquerque, NM/Highland HS), who completed his senior season in soccer and was named Honorable Mention All-NWC this past fall, played exceptionally well in tennis on Sunday.

He combined with Michael Baumgartner (Fr., Albany, OR/West Albany HS) to win #2 doubles over Junya Furakawa and Wataru Nakamura, 8-0. Lagattuta also registered a win at #2 singles, as he defeated Furakawa, 6-0, 6-1.

Willamette played with an altered lineup as well due to minor injuries and illness.

Lagattuta, who typically plays #5 singles and competed at #3 singles when the Bearcats took on the Pioneers on Feb. 28 (8-1 win), moved up to #2 singles in the rematch. He kept Furakawa off balance with a variety of shots and had one of his best all-around matches with solid serving, baseline play and volleys.

"He enjoyed playing at #2 and he played very well," WU Head Coach Toby Krauel said. "Luke has been a steady team contributor this season."

Joshua Wong (Fr., Hilo, HI/Hilo HS) and Cody Ferguson (So., North Bend, OR/North Bend HS/Western Oregon Univ.) won #1 doubles over L&C's team of Peter Ray and Amory Parker, 8-3. At #1 singles, Baumgartner held off Ray in a first set tie-breaker before easily winning the second set in a 7-6, (7-3), 6-0 victory.

Micah Mack (Sr., Wenatchee, WA/Wenatchee HS) and Daniel McClellan (Jr., Lakewood, WA/Lakes HS) also won singles matches for the Bearcats. Mack downed Parker in three sets at #3 singles, 6-1, 3-6, 6-1. McClellan defeated Cole Pfeiffer at #4 singles, 6-1, 6-0.

Willamette is scheduled to play at Pacific University on Tuesday, March 30. Match time in Forest Grove, Ore., is set for 4 p.m. (PDT).

Sunday, March 28
At Courthouse Tennis Club, Salem, Ore.

Willamette University 9, Lewis & Clark College 0

Singles
#1 - Michael Baumgartner (WU) defeated Peter Ray (L&C), 7-6 (7-3), 6-0
#2 - Luke Lagattuta (WU) defeated Junya Furakawa (L&C), 6-0, 6-1
#3 - Micah Mack (WU) defeated Amory Parker (L&C), 6-1, 3-6, 6-1
#4 - Daniel McClellan (WU) defeated Cole Pfeiffer (L&C), 6-1, 6-0
#5 - Nathan Ramos (WU) won by default
#6 - Zach Hutchinson (WU) won by default

Doubles
#1 - Wong and Cody Feguson (WU) defeated Ray and Parker (L&C), 8-3
#2 - Baumgartner and Lagattuta (WU) defeated Furakawa and Wataru Nakamura (L&C), 8-0
#3 - Mack and Matthew Houser (WU) won by default

Records:
Willamette University is 9-5 overall, 9-3 NWC. Lewis & Clark College is 0-16 overall, 0-14 NWC.