Willamette Battles Back to Split with George Fox

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

SALEM, ORE. -- The George Fox University softball team defeated Willamette University, 8-4 in the first game on Saturday, April 10 at the Willamette Softball Field. The Bearcats fought back in the second game and captured an 8-0 victory. The game ended after six innings due to the eight run rule.

The Bruins pounded 14 hits in the first game en route to an 8-4 victory. Three George Fox players, Nicole Renteria, Bethany Chriss and Shelby Briske, finished the game with two RBIs each. Erin Lee earned the win for GFU. Lee moved her season record to 7-7 with the win.

For the Bearcats, Jessica Barry (So., OF, Cupertino, CA/Monte Vista HS) and Nichole Robertson (So., Elk Grove, CA/Cosumnes River College) each had strong offensive performances. Barry went 4 for 5, scored twice and stole a base. Robertson finished the game 3 for 3, including a home run. The home run was her second of the season.

The Bruins used big innings in the third and the sixth to pull away from the Bearcats. Willamette had three hits and scored one run in the bottom of the seventh but fell short of a complete comeback.

Bri Compton (Jr., P, Kalispell, MT/Wenatchee Valley CC) started the game for the Bearcats in the circle. She allowed three runs in three innings before handing pitching duties over to Talissa Huntsman (So., P, Richland, WA/Richland HS). Compton picked up her first loss of the season to move her record to 9-1.

Willamette looked like a different team in the second game. After Alex Watilo (So., P, Newcastle, CA/Del Oro HS) shutdown the Bruins in the top of the first, the Willamette offense came alive.

Sierra Lessel (So., OF, Eugene, OR/Churchill HS), Barry and Mica Romero (So., SS, Woodland, CA/Woodland Christian HS) each score twice in the game. Barry had three hits to finish 7 for 9 on the day.

Compton smacked her third home run of the season. She finished the game 2 for 3 with three RBIs.

Watilo pitched a complete game (6 inn.) for WU. She allowed just two hits and no runs while striking out three. With the win, Watilo moved to 8-3 overall this season.

Taylor Whitmore picked up the loss in the circle for the Bruins. Whitmore pitched 5.2 innings and allowed seven hits and eight runs. She struck out four and walked four.

Willamette is now 21-7 overall and 13-3 in the NWC. George Fox moved to 9-18 overall and 3-12 in the NWC.

Willamette and George Fox will play again tomorrow, Sunday, April 11 in Salem, Ore. The teams will play two games, beginning at 12 p.m. (PDT).