Bearcats Fall to Oregon Tech and Concordia at Northwest Cup

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

CLACKAMAS, ORE. -- Willamette University opened the 2011 softball season with a pair of games against Cascade Conference teams on Sunday, Feb. 20 at the Northwest Cup. The Bearcats lost to Oregon Institute of Technology, 7-1, in the first game and fell to tournament host Concordia University (Ore.) in the second game, 2-1. Both games were played at Hood View Park.

Willamette, which competes in the Northwest Conference and NCAA Division III, is 0-2 on the season. Oregon Tech, 7-2 overall, and Concordia, 7-4 on the season, are members of the NAIA.

The first game was scoreless until the Owls plated five runs on six hits in the top of the third inning. Jess Plummer brought in the first two runs with a homer. Janelle Cromie and Shauna Collins each added an RBI double.

Alex Watilo (Jr., RHP, Newcastle, CA/Del Oro HS), who entered the game partway through the third inning, was credited with the final run of the stanza, but allowed just two runs the rest of the game. Overall, she gave up only three hits, all singles, in 4 2/3 innings.

Watilo earned one strikeout. She walked four batters, including three in the fifth inning, when Oregon Tech scored twice on a two-out RBI single by Plummer.

Willamette tallied its only run of the first game in the bottom of the fifth. Susie Krewer (Jr., 2B, Sacramento, CA/Mira Loma HS) doubled to start the inning. Carolyn Cava (Jr., OF, Salinas, CA/Robert Louis Stevenson School) pinch-ran for Krewer.

Cava advanced to third on a ground out by Kate Schimmel (Fr., SS, Oregon City, OR/Oregon City HS) and scored on a ground out by Suzannah Von Trapp (Jr., IF, Salem, OR/South Salem HS).

Plummer finished the game 2 for 3 with one run and four RBIs for Oregon Tech. Collins, Andria Wheatley and Ashleigh Larson each provided the Owls with two hits.

Oregon Tech pitcher Jackie Imhof threw all seven innings and allowed just three hits. In addition to the double by Krewer, the Bearcats received singles from Talissa Huntsman (Jr., UT/RHP, Richland, WA/Richland HS) and Allison Martin (Fr., C, Thousand Oaks, CA/Westlake HS). Huntsman (0-1) was credited with the pitching loss.

The second game was a pitcher's duel between Renee Santos of Concordia and Bri Compton (Sr., RHP, Kalispell, MT/Flathead HS/Wenatchee CC) of Willamette. Concordia entered the game ranked #4 in the NAIA and Willamette began the contest ranked #20 in NCAA Division III.

Sam Genskay hit an infield single to shortstop in the bottom of the third inning and later scored the game's first run for the Cavaliers. She advanced to second and third on back-to-back sacrifice bunts by Kayla Vickaryous and Allison Gunter. Genskay scored on a two-out single up the middle by Ali Paz.

An infield single also led to Concordia's second run in the bottom of the fifth. With two outs, Vickaryous singled between the pitcher and first base. A single by Gunter moved Vickaryous to second. Paz followed with a single to left center to score Vickaryous. Cameron Way grounded out to Compton to end the inning.

Willamette cut the margin to 2-1 when Hope Kloczko (So., C, Cameron Park, CA/Oak Ridge HS) blasted a solo home run to center field with two outs in the seventh inning. Santos ended the threat by striking out Emily Bray (So., 1B, Martinez, CA/Alhambra HS).

Concordia outhit the Bearcats, 7-4, with Paz supplying three of the hits in three at bats for the Cavaliers. Kloczko's homer was the only extra-base hit by either team. Huntsman, Bray and Yvonne Drabin (So., OF, Freemont, CA/Moreau Catholic HS) each registered a single for Willamette.

Santos struck out 12 batters and allowed just one walk while earning the win for Concordia. Compton (0-1) struck out two batters and gave up one walk.

The Bearcats will open Northwest Conference play next weekend at the WU Softball Field with doubleheaders against Pacific University on Saturday, Feb. 26 and Sunday, Feb. 27. First pitch is slated for 12 p.m. (PST) each day.