Bearcats Take Two From Boxers

By Sara Brooks, Assistant Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6219

FOREST GROVE, ORE. -- Bri Compton (Jr., P, Kalispell, MT/Wenatchee Valley CC) pitched a complete game in the circle for the Bearcats as the Willamette University softball team defeated Pacific University, 5-3 on Saturday, March 20 in the first game of a doubleheader. Willamette captured another victory in game two, 6-1.

Willamette climbs to 13-3 overall and 6-0 in the NWC. The Boxers are now 9-9 overall and 4-2 in the NWC.

Willamette led 3-2 in the bottom of the sixth inning when Compton knocked a single into center field to score Mica Romero (So., SS, Woodland, CA/Woodland Christian HS) and Sierra Lessel (So., OF, Eugene, OR/Churchill HS). Romero scored two runs in the game, walked three times and stole two bases. Lessel added a hit, walk and stolen base of her own.

Jessica Barry (So., OF, Cuptertino, CA/Univ. of Nevada-Las Vegas) added a hit and two stolen bases. The Bearcats had eight stolen bases during the game.

Compton gave up just seven hits and three runs in seven innings. She struck out three and walked two. The junior pitcher is now 6-0 on the season.

Stephanie Vanoudenhaegen went 2 for 3 in the first game for Pacific. Ashley Billingsley scored twice and hit a solo home run with two outs in the seventh inning. Chelsey Chamberlain took the pitching loss for Pacific and dropped to 3-4.

In game two, the two teams battled through four scoreless innings before Willamette broke open the game with two runs in the top of the fifth. Pacific got one run back in the bottom of the inning. The Bearcats tagged on three more runs in the sixth and one run in the seventh to run away with a 6-1 victory.

Alex Watilo (So., P, Newcastle, CA/Del Oro HS) twirled a gem for WU. The sophomore threw a complete game, allowing just one run. She struck out five and allowed eight hits. Watilo improved to 4-2 this spring.

Susie Krewer (So., 2B, Sacramento, CA/Mira Loma HS) smacked two hits and had two RBIs in the second game for Willamette. Lessel and Barry scored two runs apiece.

For the Boxers, Vanoudenhaegen was 3 for 4 in the second game to finish the doubleheader 5 for 7. Carrie Maerz was 2 for 3 and scored Pacific's only run during the game. Miranda McNeally fell to 6-3 with the loss in the circle.

Willamette will play another doubleheader at Pacific tomorrow, March 21. The first game will begin at 12 p.m. (PST).