Bearcats Move Past Puget Sound 6-3 with Five Wins in Singles

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

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University, ranked #11 in the West Region of NCAA Division III in men's tennis, rallied from a 2-1 deficit after doubles by winning the top five singles matches in a 6-3 triumph over the University of Puget Sound on Saturday, April 2.

The Bearcats upped their record to 10-5 overall, including 9-1 in the Northwest Conference. Puget Sound fell to 3-11 overall, 2-8 in the NWC.

WU equalized the match when Michael Baumgartner (So., Albany, OR/West Albany HS) won #1 singles over Michael Cutter of UPS, 6-3, 6-4. Cody Ferguson (Jr., North Bend, OR/North Bend HS/Western Oregon University) of Willamette defeated George Murphy at #3 singles, 6-1, 6-0, moments later, as the Bearcats moved in front for good, 3-2.

Willamette also registered wins at #2, #4 and #5 singles. It is the fifth time this season that WU has recorded a dual match win after being behind at the start of singles play.

At #2 singles, Joshua Wong (So., Hilo, HI/Hilo HS) achieved a straight-set victory. He surged out to a 6-2 win the first set, then held off Chas Stewart in the second set, 6-4. In the #4 singles match, Matthew Houser (Sr., Vancouver, WA/Evergreen HS) of WU prevailed against Alex Harrison, 6-3, 6-0.

Freshman Garrett Vincent (Seattle, WA/Seattle Prep/Bellevue CC) won #5 singles for the Bearcats, 6-2, 6-3, over Kelley. Puget Sound recorded its only singles victory in the #6 match, where Brian Burger defeated Will Cooper (Fr., Gresham, OR/Centennial HS), 6-2, 7-5.

Baumgartner and Houser kept Willamette close during doubles by moving past Murphy and Brent Hoshiba, 8-2, in the #1 doubles match. UPS won the other two doubles contests for a 2-1 lead.

Doubles were played outdoors at the WU Tennis Courts. The singles matches were played at the Courthouse Tennis Club.

The next action for the Bearcats is slated for Friday, April 8 at Linfield College. Match time in McMinnville, Ore., is set for 3:30 p.m. (PDT).