Bearcats Shut Out Northwest Christian, 7-0

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

HAPPY VALLEY, ORE. -- Pitchers Alex Watilo (Sr., RHP, Newcastle, CA/Del Oro HS) and Hayley Glantz (Fr., RHP, Reno, NV/Robert McQueen HS) combined on a five-hit shutout to lead Willamette University to a 7-0 victory against Northwest Christian University on Saturday, Feb. 18 at the Northwest Cup. The Bearcats improved their record to 1-1 on the season, while Northwest Christian dropped to 2-6.

Watilo, now 1-1 on the season, threw the first four innings and held the Beacons to four hits. She earned three strikeouts. Glantz tossed the final three innings with two strikeouts to register her first save. She limited NCU to just one hit, a single in the bottom of the seventh.

The Willamette offense took charge early, scoring two runs in the first inning and plating four more runs in the second stanza. WU tacked on the game's final run in the top of the third.

Willamette achieved seven hits and forced Northwest Christian into five errors. The Bearcats received one double each from Courtney Galli (So., SS, Rocklin, CA/Rocklin HS) and Hope Kloczko (Jr. C, Cameron Park, CA/Oak Ridge HS).

In the first inning, Jessica Barry (Jr., LF, Cupertino, CA/Monte Vista HS/UNLV) of Willamette hit a leadoff single. She moved to second on a passes ball and later scored when Galli doubled to left field with two outs. Kloczko batted next and drove in Galli with a double to right field.

The four runs by the Bearcats in the top of the second inning all scored on the same play.

With one out, Nichole Robertson (Sr., RF, Elk Grove, CA/Franklin HS/Cosumnes River Coll.) walked and stole second. Emily Bray (Jr., 1B, Martinez, CA/Alhambra HS) singled and Barry walked to load the bases. Mica Romero (Sr., SS/DP, Woodland, CA/Woodland Christian School) followed with a short infield single that catcher Gabby Stover threw out of the infield, clearing the bases as WU took a 6-0 lead.

WU struck for an additional insurance run in the third. Kloczko walked to start the inning, but was thrown out at second when Susie Krewer (Sr., 2B, Sacramento, CA/Mira Loma HS) hit a grounder to second base. Erin Norris (Fr., 3B, Salem, OR/South Salem HS) struck out, but reached first on a wild pitch. The play continued after the pitch, with Krewer scoring and Norris reaching second on an error by the second baseman. Two strikeouts ended the threat.

Northwest finished the game just 5 for 25 at the plate. The Beacons had their best chances to score in the first and second innings.

In the first stanza, Stover singled and Addy Hoskins moved her to second with a sacrifice bunt. Stover was tagged out between second and third when JoElla Smith hit a fielder's choice to Galli at shortstop. Amanda Reiss singled, but Watilo struck out Melissa Webster to end the inning.

In the second inning, Ally Mittleider walked and Chelsea Hannon doubled to start the inning, but a strikeout followed by a ground out and a line-drive out left both runners on base. The Beacons managed just two hits in the final five innings.

Willamette's seven hits were recorded by seven players. Kloczko was 1 for 1 at the plate with a walk and an RBI. Barry finished 1 for 2 with two runs and two walks. For Northwest Christian, Hannon was 2 for 3, while three players earned one hit apiece.

The Bearcats will play College of Idaho and Corban University on Sunday, Feb. 19 to complete the Northwest Cup. Willamette and College of Idaho will begin their game at 1 p.m. (PST), with the Bearcats taking on the Corban Warriors at 3 p.m. (PST).