WU Wins 8-5 and 9-2 in Doubleheader to Sweep Series with Pioneers

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

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University completed a four-game sweep of Northwest Conference opponent Lewis & Clark College by winning both games of a doubleheader, 8-5 and 9-2, on Sunday, March 3 at the WU Softball Field. The Bearcats are 13-12 on the season, 10-7 in the NWC. Lewis & Clark fell to 7-20 overall, 1-15 in the NWC.

In the first game of the day, the Bearcats had to rally from a 5-0 deficit after Lewis & Clark plated five runs in the top of the first inning. Willamette gradually rallied, eventually tying the game 5-5 with a run in the fifth.

L&C's success in the first inning included three hits and two errors. Caitlin Relyea produced an RBI on a fielder's choice, Jet'aime Mullins brought home a run with a bases loaded walk and Sarah Breninger earned an RBI single. Only two of the runs were earned.

Mica Romero (Sr., SS, Woodland, CA/Woodland Christian School) started Willamette's comeback with a solo home run to left center in the bottom of the first inning. Later in the stanza, Talissa Huntsman (Jr., UT/P, Richland, WA/Richland HS) tripled to right field and scored on a wild pitch, pulling WU within 5-2.

Two more runs for the Bearcats in the third inning cut the lead to just one run. Kiley Herrick (So., IF, Colusa, CA/Colusa HS) started the inning with a single. She eventually crossed the plate on a ground out by Nichole Robertson (Jr., RF, Elk Grove, CA/Franklin HS/Cosumnes River Coll.). Romero, who also singled during the inning, came home on a single by Huntsman.

Romero walked and stole second for Willamette to start the fifth inning. With one out, Huntsman recorded an RBI single, as Romero reached the plate to tie the score.

With two outs in the top of the sixth, Jamie Moon of L&C singled. Moon rounded the bases on a single down the left field line by Caitlin Basilio, but was thrown out at the plate on a tag by catcher Kelli Snyder (So., Longview, WA/Kelso HS). Susie Krewer (Jr., LF/2B, Sacramento, CA/Mira Loma HS) and Romero received assists on the play.

The Bearcats broke the tie with three runs in the bottom of the sixth. WU achieved four hits during the inning, including RBI singles from both Sierra Lessel (Jr., CF, Eugene, OR/Churchill HS) and Romero. The third run was registered by Romero when she came home from third base on a wild pitch.

Pitcher Alex Watilo (Jr., RHP, Newcastle, CA/Del Oro HS) threw all seven innings for the Bearcats in Game 1. She improved to 11-3 on the season.

WU scored one run in the third inning and one in the fourth for a 2-0 lead in the second game. Emily Bray (So., 1B, Martinez, CA/Alhambra HS) smacked a double with one out in the third inning. Bray stole third base and scored when the throw from the catcher went down the left field line. In the fourth, Romero singled, stole second and came home on a double by Huntsman.

L&C pulled into a 2-2 tie in the top of the fifth, but the Bearcats took the lead for good by tallying four runs on five hits in the bottom of the inning.

The runs scored by Mari McClenahan and Moore for the Pioneers were brought home with an RBI ground out by Basilio and an RBI single by Caroline DeVincenzi. WU's four-run response included an RBI double by Herrick and an RBI single from Romero. A passed ball and a wild pitch also sent two Bearcats across the plate.

WU added three runs in the sixth. All three tallies reached home with two outs when a fly ball by Lessel was dropped in left field. Kate Schimmel (Fr., SS, Oregon City, OR/Oregon City HS), Courtney Galli (So., 2B/SS, Rocklin, CA/Rocklin HS) and Hope Kloczko (So., C, Cameron Park, CA/Oak Ridge HS) scored on the play.

Huntsman pitched the final 2 1/3 innings for Willamette to earn the win. She registered one strikeout and allowed one hit.

Romero was 5 for on the day with five runs and three RBIs. Huntsman finished 4 of 6 to go with one run and three RBIs. Galli was 4 for 5 in the doubleheader, while scoring twice.

For Lewis & Clark, Moon went 4 for 8 overall with two runs scored. She belted a double in the second game for the Pioneer's only extra-bit hit of the day.

Willamette will host the NWC leaders from Linfield College next weekend in a pair of doubleheaders at the WU Softball Field. The games will be played on Saturday, April 9 and Sunday, April 10, with the action starting at 12 p.m. (PDT) each day.