Willamette Rolls Past Pacific Lutheran, 8-1

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

TACOMA, WASH. -- Willamette University won all six singles matches, helping the Bearcats roll past Pacific Lutheran University, 8-1, at the UPS Tennis Pavilion on Saturday, March 12. The win improved Willamette's record to 5-1 on the season, 5-1 in the Northwest Conference. PLU ended the evening with a 2-6 overall record, 1-6 in the NWC.

Earlier in the day, WU defeated the University of Puget Sound, 7-2, at the UPS Tennis Pavilion.

Against Pacific Lutheran, the Bearcats won two of three doubles matches.

Willamette's #2 doubles team of Joshua Wong (So., Hilo, HI/Hilo HS) and Garrett Vincent (Fr., Seattle, WA/Seattle Prep/Bellevue CC) defeated Michael Parretta and Daniel Cotton of PLU, 8-1. At #3 doubles, Matthew Houser (Sr., Vancouver, WA/Evergreen HS) and Will Cooper (Fr., Gresham, OR/Centennial HS) of WU triumphed over Neal Berg and Reed Gunstone, 8-5.

The Lutes took #1 doubles, as Scott Sheldon and Zack AhYat downed Michael Baumgartner (So., Albany, OR/West Albany HS) and Cody Ferguson (Jr., North Bend, OR/North Bend HS/Western Oregon Univ.), 8-2.

In singles, Willamette won every match in straight sets. Baumgartner controlled #1 singles with a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Sheldon. Wong also won 6-1, 6-1 at #2 singles against Cotton. Ferguson dropped just one game while earning a 6-1, 6-0 result versus Gunstone. Houser shut out Berg in the first set at #4 singles on his way to a 6-0, 6-2 triumph.

Vincent cruised through the first set, but needed a tie-breaker in the second set to down Parretta, 6-0, 7-6 (7-1). Cooper also swept through the opening set in his 6-0, 6-4 win over Marshall McNally at #6 singles.

The Bearcats will return to action on Tuesday, March 15 when they host Hardin-Simmons University (Texas). Match time at the Courthouse Tennis Club (1379 Madison St. NE in Salem, Ore.) is set for 8:30 p.m. (PDT).