Willamette Defeats Ramapo, 7-3

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

PANAMA CITY, FLA. -- The Willamette University softball team defeated Ramapo College, 7-3 on Saturday, March 13 at the NFCA Division III Leadoff Classic. The Bearcats are 1-0 in the silver bracket play. With the win, WU is now 3-1 at the Leadoff Classic after playing four opponents that qualified for the regionals in last year's NCAA DIII National Championship.

Ramapo scored first, plating two runs in the bottom of the first inning but Willamette responded in a big way. The Bearcats scored at least one run in the next four innings and only allowed the Roadrunners one more run. WU's biggest inning was the fourth, when the Bearcats pushed across three runs to turn a 3-2 deficit into a 5-3 lead.

Bri Compton (Jr., P, Kalispell, MT/Wenatchee C.C) pitched a complete game for the Bearcats, earning the victory. She allowed three runs and five hits while striking out four. With the win, Compton moves to 4-0 on the season.

Nicole Wallace (Sr., 1B, Roseville, CA/Roseville HS) had two hits and two RBIs for WU. Compton and Mica Romero (So., SS, Woodland, CA/Woodland HS) also smacked two hits apiece. The duo each had one run and one RBI. Both of Romero's hits were doubles. Sierra Lessel (So., OF, Eugene, OR/Churchill HS), batting leadoff, added two RBIs and a hit.

Katie Donnelly was 2 for 4 and scored two of Ramapo's runs. Danielle Rothenberger hit a two-run homer for the Roadrunners in the first inning and finished the game 1 for 3 at the plate. Lauren Shaw pitched the first six innings and gave up all seven WU runs. Her record fell to 0-2.

Willamette will play Cortland State (N.Y.) at 10:30 a.m. (CST) on Sunday, March 14. WU defeated Cortland, 6-5, in pool play earlier in the tournament.