2008-09 Softball News
SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University senior softball player Nikki Franchi (RHP/DP, Los Gatos, CA/Saratoga HS) has been named Third Team All-America for NCAA Division III, as selected by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA). It is Franchi's second consecutive year on the All-America Team. She was chosen First Team All-America in 2008.
SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University softball standout Nikki Franchi (Sr,. RHP/DP, Los Gatos, CA/Saratoga HS) has been chosen First Team All-West Region for the second year in a row. Franchi, who led the Bearcats to a 29-6 overall record, was one of 15 athletes selected for the First Team by members of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA).
SALEM, ORE. -- Four members of the Willamette University softball team have been chosen First Team All-Northwest Conference for the 2009 season, in voting by the NWC head coaches. Three additional Bearcats were named Second Team All-NWC following Willamette's successful 29-6 season. Willamette, ranked #21 in NCAA Division III, finished second in the NWC with a 22-6 conference record.
SALEM, ORE. -- The Willamette University softball team is ranked #21 in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division III Top 25 released on Wednesday, May 6. The Bearcats concluded the season with a 29-6 overall record and finished second in the Northwest Conference with a 22-6 mark.
SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University is tied for #15 in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division III Top 25 released on Wednesday, April 22. The Bearcats finished the regular season with a 29-6 overall record, including 22-6 in the Northwest Conference.
McMINNVILLE, ORE. -- Senior Nikki Franchi (RHP/DP, Los Gatos, CA/Saratoga HS) blasted a two-run homer in the top of the seventh inning to break a scoreless tie and send Willamette University to a 2-0 victory over Linfield College in the first game of a doubleheader on Sunday, April 26. Franchi also threw a complete-game and allowed just one hit in the opener. Linfield rallied from a 3-0 deficit in the second game to defeat the Bearcats, 5-3, and split the twinbill.
SALEM, ORE. -- Linfield College, ranked #2 in NCAA Division III, defeated 10th-ranked Willamette University in both games of a Northwest Conference doubleheader, winning 3-0 and 13-5 at the WU Softball Field on Saturday, April 25. Linfield improved to 35-3 overall, 25-1 in the NWC. The Bearcats dropped to 28-5 on the season, 21-5 in the NWC.
SALEM, ORE. -- The Willamette University softball team is ranked #10 this week in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division III Top 25 Poll released on Wednesday, April 22. Willamette will close out the regular season with a four-game Northwest Conference series against Linfield College, which is ranked #2 in this week's poll.
SPOKANE, WASH. -- Willamette University senior pitcher Nikki Franchi (RHP, Los Gatos, CA/Saratoga HS) threw a complete-game two-hitter and struck out 13 batters, leading the Bearcats to a 5-0 victory over Whitworth University in the first game of a doubleheader on Sunday, April 19. In the second game, Willamette shortstop Mica Romero (Fr., Woodland, CA/Woodland Christian HS) belted a pair of three-run homers, as the Bearcats won 8-0.
SPOKANE, WASH. -- The Willamette University softball team led 3-0 after five innings, then pulled away to rout Whitworth University, 13-0, in the first game of a Northwest Conference doubleheader on Saturday, April 18. Whitworth won the second game, 1-0, behind a one-hitter from pitcher Jessica Mangis.
SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University has moved up four positions in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division III Top 25 Poll released on Wednesday, April 15. Willamette is 25-2 on the season, including 18-2 in the Northwest Conference. The Bearcats were ranked #11 a week ago.
SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University pitcher Nikki Franchi (Sr., Los Gatos, CA/Saratoga HS) limited Pacific Lutheran University to three hits, as the Bearcats defeated the Lutes, 2-0, to start a Northwest Conference doubleheader at the WU Softball Field on Saturday, April 11. Willamette produced 13 hits in the second game to completed the sweep with an 8-3 victory.
SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University, ranked #11 in NCAA Division III, won a pair of close Northwest Conference games with strong pitching and timely hitting, as the Bearcats defeated the University of Puget Sound, 3-1 and 3-2, on Friday, April 10 at the WU Softball Field. Willamette upped its record to 23-2 overall, 16-2 in the NWC. The Loggers fell to 10-19 on the season, 4-12 in the conference.
SALEM, ORE. -- Action from the Willamette University softball doubleheaders on Friday, April 10 and Saturday, April 11 will be webcast by Full Access Sports. Willamette enters the weekend ranked #11 in NCAA Division III with a 21-2 overall record, including 14-2 in the Northwest Conference.
SALEM, ORE. -- Nikki Franchi (Sr., RHP, Los Gatos, CA/Saratoga HS) threw two no-hitters in three appearances last week. She was 3-0 and struck out 28 batters in 18 innings. Her efforts have earned her Northwest Conference Softball Pitcher Student-Athlete of the Week recognition for the third week in a row.
SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University pitcher Nikki Franchi (Sr., RHP, Los Gatos, CA/Saratoga HS) threw a no-hitter in the first game to start a doubleheader sweep by the Bearcats over George Fox University, 8-0 and 10-0 on Sunday, April 5 at the WU Softball Field. Both games ended on the run rule in five innings.