Watilo Pitches Shutout, as Bearcats Defeat Loggers, 1-0

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

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University junior pitcher Alex Watilo (RHP, Newcastle, CA/Del Oro HS) tossed a complete-game four-hitter to lead the Bearcats to a 1-0 shutout victory over the University of Puget Sound on Saturday, April 9. The game was played at the WU Softball Field following Willamette's doubleheader with Linfield College.

The Bearcats improved to 16-14 with the win over the Loggers, while moving to 13-9 in the Northwest Conference. Puget Sound dropped to 9-22 overall, 7-14 in the NWC.

Willamette scored the game's only run in the bottom of the fifth inning. Kelli Snyder (So., C, Longview, WA/Kelso HS) opened the inning with a walk. Yvonne Drabin (So., OF, Freemont, CA/Moreau Catholic HS) pinch-ran for Snyder. Drabin advanced to third when Suzannah Von Trapp (Jr., 3B, Salem, OR/South Salem HS) hit into an error by the second baseman.

Von Trapp went to second on the play, but was thrown out. Drabin scored when Mica Romero (Jr., SS, Woodland, CA/Woodland Christian HS) grounded out to shortstop for the second out of the stanza.

Watilo, now 13-4 on the season, registered six strikeouts and two walks during the game. She held UPS to two singles and two doubles, while never allowing more than one hit in the same inning.

Auriel Sperberg of UPS received the loss despite pitching a two-hitter for the Loggers.

Puget Sound advanced a runner to third base just once -- in the third inning. Elayne Van Hess doubled to start the stanza. Megan Janes attempted a sacrifice bunt, but was thrown out at first base while the WU defense held Van Hess at second. An infield error allowed Carolyn Moore to reach first, with Van Hess staying at second. Van Hess reached third on a stolen base.

The Loggers were unable to bring Van Hess across the plate. Chrissy Demuelenaere grounded out to third for the second out. Aryn Grouse walked to load the bases, but Anthea Aasen grounded back to the circle to end the threat.

After taking a 1-0 lead in the fifth, the Bearcats came close to adding another run in the sixth. Huntsman belted a leadoff double to left. Allison Martin (Fr., C, Thousand Oaks, CA/Westlake HS) pinch-ran for Huntsman and advance to third on a ground out by Krewer. The Bearcats were unable to score the insurance run as two fly outs concluded the inning.

For details about the doubleheader on April 9 between Willamette and Linfield, please see the story about the WU vs. LC games.

The Bearcats will take on Linfield in a doubleheader on Sunday, April 10 to complete the four-game series between the Bearcats and the Wildcats. First pitch in the opening game of the twinbill is set for 12 p.m. (PDT).