Watilo and Glantz each Pitch a Two-Hitter in Sweep of Pioneers

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

SALEM, ORE. -- With pitchers Alex Watilo (Sr., RHP, Newcastle, CA/Del Oro HS) and Hayley Glantz (Fr., Reno, NV/Robert McQueen HS) each tossing a two-hitter, Willamette University defeated visiting Lewis & Clark College in both games of a doubleheader on Sunday, March 4, 3-1 and 11-0. The second game was won on the run rule in five innings.

In the first game, WU broke a 1-1 tie with single runs in the third and fourth innings for a low-scoring victory. The Bearcat exploded for 11 runs on six hits in the first inning of the second game to set-up the run rule win.

Watilo, now 6-2, limited L&C to one single and one double in the opener. She registered eight strikeouts and allowed just two walks.

Glantz followed with a solid performance to attain her first collegiate win, as she held the Pioneers to a pair of singles. Glantz, 1-4 on the season, earned five strikeouts and allowed one walk.

Susie Krewer (Sr., 2B, Sacramento, CA/Mira Loma HS) went 3 for 3 in the first game for the Bearcats. Yvonne Drabin (Jr., CF, Freemont, CA/Moreau Catholic HS), who hit a triple in Game #1, went 2 for 2 with a run scored and an RBI in Game #2.

Erin Norris (Fr., 3B, Salem, OR/South Salem HS) of WU was 2 for 3 with two doubles, two RBIs and a run scored in the second game.

WU scored first in the opener. Mica Romero (Sr., SS, Woodland, CA/Woodland Christian School) walked to start the second inning and went to second base on a bunt single by Krewer. Romero reached third on a sacrifice bunt by Nichole Robertson (Sr., RF, Elk Grove, CA/Franklin HS/Cosumnes River Coll.) and scored on a ground out by Heather Winslow (Fr., 1B, Oregon City, OR/Oregon City HS).

The Pioneers equalized in their next at bat. Caroline DeVincenzi doubled and stole third. She scored one out later on an RBI single up the middle by Amanda Rabith.

Allison Martin (So., C, Thousand Oaks, CA/Westlake HS) of WU singled through the left side with two outs in the third. She scored when Robertson's fly ball was misplayed in right field. The Bearcats led, 2-1.

Willamette tacked on an insurance score in the fourth inning.

Krewer singled to start the inning and gave way to pinch-runner Carolyn Cava (Sr., OF, Salinas, CA/Robert L. Stevenson School). Cava went to third on a double by Winslow and scored on a single by Drabin.

WU packed plenty of offense into the first inning of the second game. The 11-run outburst featured at least one RBI by six players, including Norris, who belted a pair of RBI doubles. Theresa Martin (Fr., UTIL, Modesto, CA/Johansen HS) brought in the first run with an double to left center and later forced in a run with a bases-loaded walk. Kelli Snyder (Jr., C, Longview, WA/Kelso HS) hit a two-RBI double.

Lewis & Clark also walked six players and hit one batter during the inning. The Pioneer's third pitcher during the stanza, Madison Hollenbeck, faced just one batter and ended the frame with a strikeout. Hollenbeck allowed only one hit over the next three innings.

Hollenbeck also pitched all six innings for L&C in the opener, as he suffered the pitching loss. Natalie Rose took the loss for the Pioneers in the second game.

Willamette moved past the .500 mark at 7-6 for the season. The Bearcats advanced their Northwest Conference record to 6-2. Lewis & Clark remained winless on the season at 0-10, including 0-8 in the NWC.

Next weekend, the Bearcats will host a pair of NWC doubleheaders. On Saturday, March 10, Willamette will take on Pacific Lutheran University starting at 12 p.m. (PST). On Sunday, the Bearcats will battle the University of Puget Sound, with the first pitch set for 12 p.m. (PDT).