Bearcats and Boxers Split Doubleheader, as WU Wins in Eight Innings

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

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University broke a 7-7 tie by scoring five times in the top of the eighth inning to defeat Pacific University, 12-7, in the first game of a doubleheader at Sherman/Larkins Stadium in Forest Grove, Ore. The Bearcats forced the extra inning by tallying a run in the top of the seventh.

Pacific won the second game, 12-4, on the run rule in six innings, to gain a split of the Northwest Conference twinbill. Willamette concluded the day with a 5-6 record, 4-2 in the NWC. Pacific went to 5-9 overall, 2-4 in the NWC.

WU rallied twice to tie the game in the opener. The Bearcats trailed 3-0 after one inning and 4-2 after the second stanza, but tied the score by plating four runs in the fourth. Pacific took a 7-6 lead with a run in the bottom of the fifth, setting the stage for Willamette's rally in the seventh and scoring outburst in the eighth.

In the seventh, Mica Romero (Sr., SS, Woodland, CA/Woodland Christian HS) walked to open the stanza. It was one of four walks she received during the game.

After stealing second base, Romero moved to third with one out on a wild pitch. Courtney Galli (So., SS/2B, Rocklin, CA/Rocklin HS) drove Romero home with a groundout to second base. Suzannah Von Trapp (Sr., 3B, Salem, OR/South Salem HS) grounded out to end the inning.

Alex Watilo (Sr., RHP, Newcastle, CA/Del Oro HS) hit the first batter in the bottom of the seventh, center fielder Kiera Melton, but got out the inning without allowing a run. Melton was thrown out at second when Kaitlyn Shikada sent a fielder's choice toward third base. Becca Moen used a sacrifice bunt to move Shikada to second. Jenna Stevens walked, but Chelsey Chamberlain grounded out to shortstop.

Willamette's five-run eighth inning got underway with two outs. Heather Winslow (Fr., 1B, Oregon City, OR/Oregon City HS) was hit by a pitch and stole second base. Theresa Martin (Fr., UTIL, Modesto, CA/Johansen HS) hit an infield single that scored Winslow with the go-ahead run. Hope Kloczko (Jr., C, Cameron Park, CA/Oak Ridge HS) doubled to right field, bringing Martin across the plate for a 9-7 lead.

The inning also included Romero's fourth walk, an RBI single by Amanda Absher (Fr., C, Elk Grove, CA/Franklin HS) and an two-RBI single by Galli. The Boxers threw out Galli on a stolen base attempt, but the Bearcats held a 12-7 advantage.

Watillo gave up a leadoff double to third baseman Lauren Tuey to start the bottom of the eighth. Jordan Mittelsdorf flied out on a double play, as Tuey was thrown out trying to tag up at second. After Ashley Billingsley walked, Watilo forced Jenny Yano to ground out to first base to end the game.

Kloczko was 2 for 5 for Willamette with a solo homer in the second inning and a double in the eighth. She scored two runs and earned two RBIs. Theresa Martin went 2 for 4 with a run and an RBI. Galli finished 2 for 5 with one run scored and three RBIs. Allison Martin (So., C, Thousand Oaks, CA/Westlake HS) had just one hit, but it was a triple that drove in three runs during Willamette's four-run fourth inning.

Stevens went 3 for 3 with three runs for the Boxers. Chamberlain added a 3-for-5 performance for Pacific, while scoring once and earning two RBIs. The Boxers outhit the Bearcats, 14-11.

Watilo improved to 5-2 with the win. She registered three strikeouts and gave up four walks. Chloe Hanson of Pacific took the loss an dropped to 3-4 overall.

The Boxers surged out to a 6-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning in the second game and never trailed. Mittelsdorf connected on a two-run single during the stanza, while Shikada brought in three runs with a double.

WU tallied one run in the second inning when Kelli Snyder (Jr., C, Longview, WA/Kelso HS) singled up the middle and scored on a double by Romero.

Pacific plated two runs in the bottom of the second, as Chamberlain drove in one run with a triple. Chamberlain recorded the other run on a sacrifice fly by Tuey.

The Boxers owned 9-1 lead after four innings. Willamette cut the margin to 9-4 with three runs in the top of the fifth. Yvonne Drabin (Jr., OF, Freemont, CA/Moreau Catholic HS) tripled and scored on a groundout by Allison Martin. Theresa Martin added a two-RBI single later in the inning. The Bearcats pounded out four hits during the frame, but left two runners on base.

WU never got closer, as the Boxers claimed the win. Chamberlain received the pitching win, as her record moved to 2-1. Hayley Glantz (Fr., RHP, Reno, NV/Robert McQueen HS) fell to 0-4 with the loss.

Jessica Barry (Jr., OF, Cupertino, CA/Monte Vista HS/UNLV) went 3 for 4 for Willamette. Snyder and Drabin each finished 2 for 2 with a run scored. Chamberlain, Mittelsdorf and Shikada topped Pacific with two hits apiece. Mittelsdorf led all players with four RBIs during the game.

The Bearcats will host Lewis & Clark College at the WU Softball Field on Sunday, March 4. The NWC doubleheader will begin at 12 p.m. (PST).