Willamette Holds Off Loggers, 4-3, as Bearcats Play Seventh Game in Six Days

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

TACOMA, WASH. -- Despite playing their seventh game in six days, the Willamette University Bearcats found a way to defeat the University of Puget Sound, 4-3, in a Northwest Conference game on Wednesday, April 11 at Logger Field. With the win, Willamette advanced its record to 19-10 overall, 18-6 in the NWC. Puget Sound fell to 3-27 overall, 3-21 in the NWC.

Carolyn Cava (Sr., RF, Salinas, CA/Robert L. Stevenson School) broke a 3-3 tie and scored the winning run from second base when Yvonne Drabin (Jr., CF, Freemont, CA/Moreau Catholic HS) reached base on a throwing error with two outs in the sixth inning.

The game was originally started as the second game of a doubleheader on April 1, but only three pitches were thrown in the top of the first inning before play was suspended due to the weather.

In between, the Bearcats played a four-game series against Whitworth University on April 6-7 and made up two previously rained out games at Pacific Lutheran University on April 10. The team remained in the Tacoma area to complete the game with Puget Sound on Wednesday.

Willamette scored three runs in the top of the first inning. Suzannah Von Trapp (Sr., DP/3B, Salem, OR/South Salem HS) hit a bunt single with one out and stole second base. Heather Winslow (Fr., 1B, Oregon City, OR/Oregon City HS) was hit by a pitch. Both runners advanced a base on a wild pitch.

Theresa Martin (Fr., 3B, Modesto, CA/Johansen HS) and Kelli Snyder (Jr., C, Longview, WA/Kelso HS) each walked, forcing Von Trapp across the plate for a 1-0 lead.

Mica Romero (Sr., SS, Woodland, CA/Woodland Christian School) hit a fielder's choice to shortstop, which allowed Winslow to score, while Martin was thrown out at third base. Courtney Galli (So., 2B/SS, Rocklin, CA/Rocklin HS) singled to left field to drive in Snyder with the third run.

Jessica Holt hit a leadoff home run to center field for Puget Sound in the bottom of the first inning, as the Loggers cut the lead to 3-1. With two outs, Chrissy Atterson singled to left field and Amy Schmeckpepper walked. Both runners were left on base when WU pitcher Hayley Glantz (Fr., Reno, NV/Robert McQueen HS) got Joleen Monfiletto to hit a pop-up to Martin at third base.

Neither team scored a run during the next three innings, although Willamette left two runner on base in the second inning and UPS ended the fourth inning with one runner left on base.

The Bearcats threatened to score in the fifth inning, when Winslow received a base on balls with one out in the stanza. Martin batted the ball toward shortstop and Winslow was thrown out at second on the play. Snyder then singled to center field, but outfielder Megan Janes made a strong throw and Martin was called out at third base.

Puget Sound tied the game with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth.

Elayna Van Hess singled to extreme right field to start the inning. She was thrown out at second base when Janes hit into a fielder's choice. Janes reached second on a single by Holt. Arndt hit into another fielder's choice, as Von Trapp tagged third base to put out Janes. Aryn Grouse belted a double to right center to score Holt and Arndt. A pop-up by Atterson to Romero at shortstop ended the stanza.

WU responded by scoring the go-ahead run in the top of the sixth.

Romero and Galli each hit fly balls to the outfield, but both of the flies were caught. Amanda Absher (Fr., C, Elk Grove, CA/Franklin HS) pinch-hit for Cava and was hit by a pitch.

Cava re-entered the game as a runner at first base and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Drabin faced a 1-2 count, but sent the next pitch toward the second baseman. The throw sailed past first base, allowing Cava to score and Drabin to reach second. Puget Sound recorded a groundout to end the threat.

In the bottom of the seventh, Puget Sound recorded two hits, but couldn't push across the tying run. With one out, Holt singled up the middle. After Arndt flied out to third base, Grause connected for a base hit to center field. Holt moved to second on the play. Atterson hit a full-count pitch to Romero, who threw to Galli at second base to force out Grouse and end the game.

Glantz upped her pitching record to 7-6 with the win. She gave up eight hits and three runs, while striking out three batters and allowing one walk.

On offense for the Bearcats, Von Trapp, Martin, Snyder and Galli each achieved one hit. Snyder, Galli and Romero provided one RBI apiece.

Van Hess, who pitched for UPS, fell to 2-13. She allowed just four hits -- all singles -- but hit three batters and finished the game with three walks. Holt led the Loggers with a 3-for-4 performance at the plate, as she scored twice and drove in one run. Grause finished 2 for 4 with two RBIs. Atterson also went 2 for 4.

Willamette will close out the regular season with a four-game series against nearby rival Linfield College, which is ranked #1 in this week's NCAA Division III Poll released by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA). The Wildcats are 32-2 overall, including 22-2 in the NWC.

The teams will begin the series with a doubleheader in McMinnville, Ore., on Saturday, April 14, starting at 12 p.m. (PDT). The Bearcats will complete the series by hosting the Wildcats in a doubleheader at the WU Softball Field on Sunday, April 15, with first pitch set for 12 p.m. (PDT).