Bearcats and Boxers each Win One Game in NWC Doubleheader

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

SALEM, ORE. -- Pacific University recorded 10 hits to win the first game and Willamette University achieved 10 hits for a run-rule victory in the second game, as the Boxers and Bearcats split a Northwest Conference softball doubleheader on Sunday, Feb. 27. Pacific took the opener, 7-4, while Willamette gained the split with a 10-2 win in 4 1/2 innings.

Willamette moved to 2-4 on the season. Pacific went to 6-3 overall. Both teams ended the four-game series at 2-2 in the NWC.

The first game on Sunday was scoreless through four innings. Even so each team had scoring chances, as Willamette left three runners on base in the first inning and Pacific left three runners in the second stanza.

Pacific broke open the scoreless contest with three runs in the fifth. Stephanie Vanoudenhaegen walked to start the inning. Becca Moen brought in Vanoudenhaegen with a double to left center.

Chelsey Chamberlain went to first base on a fielder's choice and later scored when Jordan Mittelsdorf doubled down the left field line. Randee Layosa, who pinch-ran during the inning, eventually scored on a sacrifice fly by Brooke Toy.

The Boxers added three runs in the top of the sixth. Jenna Stevens walked before Vanoudenhaegen popped out on a bunt. Moen hit a bunt single, then Chamberlain belted a three-run homer to center field. Pacific held a 6-0 lead.

WU cut its deficit in half with three runs of its own in the bottom of the sixth. The Bearcats pounded out four hits during the inning and benefited from one Pacific error.

The inning started with consecutive singles by Sierra Lessel (Jr., OF, Eugene, OR/Churchill HS), Mica Romero (Jr., SS, Woodland, CA/Woodland Christian School) and Talissa Huntsman (Jr., UT/P, Richland, WA/Richland HS). Lessel was put out at home when Hope Kloczko (So., C, Cameron Park, CA/Oak Ridge HS) hit into a fielder's choice.

With the bases still loaded, Susie Krewer (Jr., 2B, Sacramento, CA/Mira Loma HS) singled to center field to drive in Romero and pinch-runner Carolyn Cava (Jr., OF, Salinas, CA/Robert Louis Stevenson School). Kloczko later scored on a ground out by Kelli Snyder (So., C, Longview, WA/Kelso HS).

Pacific tacked on an extra insurance run in the top of the seventh and WU scored one run in the bottom of the inning.

Moen was 3 for 3 in the first game with one run and one RBI for the Boxers. Chamberlain went 1 for 3 with two runs and three RBIs. Seven WU players each recorded one hit.

Rylee Parker was the winning pitcher for Pacific. She improved to 4-0 while earning three strikeouts and three walks. Bri Compton (Sr., P, Kalispell, MT/Flathead HS/Wenatchee CC) fell to 0-3 with the loss for Willamette.

The Bearcats put up four runs in the first inning of the second game, as WU sent 10 batters to the plate. Krewer drove home the first two runs on a one-out single up the middle with the bases loaded. Snyder followed with an RBI single through he left side. Nichole Robertson (Jr., RF, Elk Grove, CA/Franklin HS/Cosumnes River College) provided an RBI single to right.

Pacific cut the lead to 4-1 in the top of the third, but Willamette pulled away with six runs in the fourth inning.

Robertson opened the stanza with a triple to right field and scored when the relay throw went into the WU dugout. Later, Romero provided a two-run double to left center, while Snyder supplied a sacrifice fly to center. The other two runs were scored on a passed ball and a wild pitch.

The Boxers opened the bottom of the fifth with singles by Stevens and Vanoudenhaegen. Moen hit into an error at third base to load the bases. Chamberlain drove in Stevens with a sacrifice fly deep down the left field line. Back-to-back ground outs ended the game on the run rule.

Winning pitcher Alex Watilo (Jr., P, Newcastle, CA/Del Oro HS) of Willamette advanced to 2-0 on the season. She allowed two runs, one earned, while striking out three batters and allowing one walk. Shannon Miller fell to 2-3 with the loss.

Lessel, Romero and Robertson each went 2 for 3 for Willamette in Game 2. Vanoudenhaegen was 2 for 3 for Pacific.

Willamette is set to play a four game series at Pacific Lutheran University on Saturday, March 5 and Sunday, March 6. Game time is scheduled for 1 p.m. (PST) on Saturday and for 12 p.m. on Sunday.