Willamette Defeats Lewis & Clark Twice on Run Rule, 12-1 and 9-1

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

SALEM, ORE. -- Susie Krewer (Jr., LF/2B, Sacramento, CA/Mira Loma HS) smacked a two-run homer in the first game and Hope Kloczko (So., C, Cameron Park, CA/Oak Ridge HS) blasted a three-run homer in the second game, as Willamette University swept a Northwest Conference doubleheader from visiting Lewis and Clark College on Saturday, April 2. The Bearcats won 12-1 and 9-1, claiming both victories on the run rule in five innings.

The wins brought WU's overall record to 11-12 this spring, including 8-7 in the NWC. Lewis & Clark fell to 7-18 overall, 1-13 in the NWC.

Alex Watilo (Jr., RHP, Newcastle, CA/Del Oro HS) of Willamette pitched a three-hitter with four strikeouts to win the opener. She improved her record to 10-3 on the season.

Bri Compton (Sr., RHP, Kalispell, MT/Flathead HS/Wenatchee CC) pitched for the Bearcats in the second game and limited L&C to two hits. Compton also recorded four strikeouts. Willamette did not allow a walk during the doubleheader.

WU took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning in the opener. Sierra Lessel (Jr., CF, Eugene, OR/Churchill HS) hit a lead-off single and stole second base. Mica Romero (Jr., SS, Woodland, CA/Woodland Christian School) sent Lessel to third with a double to shallow left field near the foul line. Nichole Robertson (Jr., Elk Grove, CA/Franklin HS/Cosumnes River Coll.) drove in both runners on a single up the middle.

The Bearcats pulled away with six runs on six hits in the third inning. Krewer's two-run shot over the left field fence was the bit hit of the stanza. Talissa Huntsman (Jr., UT/P, Richland, WA/Richland HS) added an RBI single, Courtney Galli (So., 2B/SS, Rocklin, CA/Rocklin HS) smacked an RBI double and Kloczko drove in a run on a ground out. One run scored on a wild pitch.

Lewis & Clark prevented a shutout by scoring one run in the top of the fourth. Jamie Moon was hit by a pitch to start the inning. She moved to second and third on singles by Caitlin Basilio and Caroline DeVincenzi, before scoring when Caitlin Relyea hit into a fielder's choice.

Four more runs by Willamette in the bottom of the fourth extended the lead to 12-1. Robertson belted an RBI double during the inning. The Bearcats scored the four runs on three hits plus three errors by the Pioneers. Three of the four runs were unearned.

Watilo faced just three batters in the fifth inning to put the run rule in to effect. The Bearcats finished with a 13-3 edge in hits, including a homer and doubles.

Romero was 3 for 3 with three runs. Robertson also went 3 for 3 and provided three RBIs. Huntsman and Galli each ended the game 2 for 3 at the plate. Three L&C players contributed one hit apiece.

The second game was a pitcher's duel between Compton of WU and Paige McFeeley of L&C for most of the contest.

L&C struck first with a run in the top of the third. With two outs, Moon connected for a home run. It was her second homer of the season.

Willamette equalized the scoreboard by tallying a run in the bottom of the fourth. Huntsman doubled with on out and gave way to pinch-runner Yvonne Drabin (So., OF, Freemont, CA/Moreau Catholic HS). Krewer was hit by a pitch and Kelli Snyder (So., C/DP, Longview, WA/Kelso HS) reached first on an error to load the bases.

Galli singled through the left side of the infield to drive in Drabin for a 1-1 tie. WU was unable to score again and the inning ended with three runners left on base.

In the bottom of the fifth, the Willamette offense exploded for eight runs on eight hits and one error. Kloczko's three-run homer contributed to the onslaught. WU sent 12 batters to the plate during the stanza. There were two outs when the game ended on the run rule.

Five Bearcats each registered two hits in the second game. They were Lessel, Robertson, Huntsman, Galli and Suzanna Von Trapp (Jr., 3B, Salem, OR/South Salem HS). WU received doubles from Huntsman, Galli and Von Trapp.

A double by Jet-aime Mullins of L&C was the Pioneers' only hit other than the home run by Moon. McFeeley took the loss in the circle for Lewis & Clark. Natalie Rose, who suffered the loss in Game 1, faced the last four WU batters in the bottom of the fifth in Game 2.

The teams are scheduled to play another doubleheader at the WU Softball Field on Sunday, April 2. First pitch is set for 12 p.m. (PDT).