Willamette Falls to College of Idaho, 3-2, and Corban, 11-3, at Northwest Cup

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

HAPPY VALLEY, ORE. -- The Willamette University softball team dropped a close game to the College of Idaho, 3-2, and fell to Corban University, 11-3 on the run rule in five innings, at the Northwest Cup on Sunday, Feb. 19. Willamette ended the tournament with a 1-3 overall record. College of Idaho improved to 9-3, while Corban upped its record to 10-2.

Willamette vs. College of Idaho

In the first game, the College of Idaho rallied past the Bearcats after Willamette built a 2-0 lead.

WU almost took a 1-0 advantage in the second inning, when Kelli Snyder (Jr., C, Longview, WA/Kelso HS) doubled to center field with no outs. Carolyn Cava (Sr., OF, Salinas, CA/Robert L. Stevenson HS) pinch-ran for Snyder and went to third on a wild pitch. Jenna King (Fr., OF, Camarillo, CA/Adolfo Camarillo HS) hit a grounder to shortstop that the Lady Yotes turned into a 6-3-2 double play, with Cava thrown out at the plate.

The Bearcats put the game's first run on the scoreboard in the third inning. Suzannah Von Trapp (Sr., 3B, Salem, OR/South Salem HS) started the inning with a single and stole second base. Yvonne Drabin (Jr., OF, Freemont, CA/Moreau Catholic HS) batted next and drove in Von Trapp with a double to right center.

Drabin was caught in a run-down between second and third for the first out of the inning. With two outs, Allison Martin (So., C/DP, Thousand Oaks, CA/Westlake HS) hit an infield single, but Heather Winslow (Fr., 1B, Oregon City, OR/Oregon City HS) flied out to center field to end the stanza.

Willamette added its second run in the top of the sixth.

Jessica Barry (Jr., LF, Cupertino, CA/Monte Vista HS/UNLV) placed an infield single near shortstop to open the inning. Back-to-back singles by Martin and Winslow combined to bring Barry across the plate. After the play, Martin and Barry were both thrown out between bases.

The next batter, Courtney Galli (So., SS, Rocklin, CA/Rocklin HS) singled, but C of I recorded the third out when Snyder hit a grounder to third base.

College of Idaho tied the score with two runs in the bottom of the sixth. Molly Mills singled up the middle and Alexis Macias smacked a 2-run homer to left field. WU escaped the inning without additional base runners as pitcher Alex Watilo (Sr., RHP, Newcastle, CA/Del Oro HS) retired three batters in a row.

The Bearcats threatened to tie the game in the top of the seventh without a hit. King walked with one out. She stole second base, and then moved to third on a ground out by Von Trapp. Relief pitcher, Nickayla Skinner, who went to the circle to start the innings, struck out pinch-hitter Mica Romero (Sr., SS, Woodland, CA/Woodland Christian School) to keep the game tied.

In the bottom of the seventh, pinch-hitter Jordan Huttash hit a leadoff single toward third. Kayla Webb provided a sacrifice bunt to push Huttash to second base. Nikki Shumway belted a double down the left field line to drive in the winning run.

WU outhit the Lady Yotes, 12-6, but the Bearcats batted into two double plays, were caught stealing on 3 of 6 attempts and had several other runners thrown out on the bases. Neither team committed an error.

Barry, Martin, Snyder, and Drabin each earned two hits for Willamette. Macias led C of I with two hits in three at bats. Skinner improved to 4-0 with the pitching victory. Watilo fell to 1-2.

Willamette vs. Corban

Senior right fielder Nichole Robertson (Elk Grove, CA/Franklin HS/Cosumnes River Coll.) pounded out a 3-run homer for the Bearcats against Corban to drive in all of Willamette's runs against the Warriors.

Corban took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first, added four runs in the second and increased the advantage to 7-0 with a run in the third.

In the first, Courtney Castronovo hit an RBI single and Emma Winckler provided a sacrifice fly.

During the second inning, Erica Fitzgerald walked and later scored when Brittany Chestnut reached base on an error in the outfield. Stephanie Nippert drove in three runs in the second with her ninth home run of the season, a shot to left center. Lounette Jackson added a leadoff solo homer in the bottom of the third.

Robertson's homer reduced the lead to 7-3 in the top of the fourth. The blast over the right center field fence, also brought home Galli, who doubled with one out, and Susie Krewer (Sr., 2B, Sacramento, CA/Mira Loma HS), who walked with two outs.

The Warriors cemented the win with four runs in the bottom of the fifth. Jackson hit her leadoff homer of the game, while one run scored on a passed ball and two runners crossed the plate on a single by Chestnut.

Corban achieved 10 hits, including two each from Chestnut, Castronovo and Jackson. Chestnut, Jackson and Abbie Pynch each scored two runs.

Willamette finished the game with four hits, as Barry, Galli, Robertson and Von Trapp earned one hit apiece.

Pitcher Chelsea Schriber of Corban picked up the win and improved to 4-1 on the season. Hayley Glantz (Fr., RHP, Reno, NV/Robert McQueen HS) fell to 0-1 for Willamette.

The Bearcats and the Warriors will meet again on Thursday, Feb. 23, with a single game at Corban. First pitch is slated for 1:30 p.m. (PST).