2013-14 Softball News
SALEM, ORE. -- After suffering a 16-2 defeat in the first game of an April 13 doubleheader against Linfield College, it would have been easy for the Willamette University softball team to throw in the towel for game two.
SALEM, ORE. -- Two Willamette University softball players have been selected All-West Region by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA). A total of 360 players were chosen All-Region across the country.
SALEM, ORE. -- After a successful season in which the Bearcats reached the Northwest Conference Tournament, seven members of the Willamette University softball team have been named to the 2014 NWC All-Conference team.
McMINNVILLE, ORE. -- Willamette University held a 3-2 lead on #6-ranked Linfield College in the top of the third inning during their Northwest Conference Softball Tournament first round game on Friday, April 18, but the Wildcats scored five runs in the bottom of the inning and went on to defeat the Bearcats, 14-3 on the run rule in five innings.
SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University will battle regular season champion Linfield College in the first game of the 2014 Northwest Conference Softball Tournament on Friday, April 18 at Del Smith Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m. (PDT).
PORTLAND, ORE. -- Willamette University won the first game 3-2, and Lewis & Clark College took the second game 3-2, as the Bearcats and the Pioneers split the final Northwest Conference doubleheader of the regular season on Monday, April 14 at the Huston Sports Complex.
SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University lost to Linfield College, 16-2, in the first game, but the Bearcats answered with a 10-2 win over the Wildcats in the second game, as the archrivals split a Northwest Conference softball doubleheader on Sunday, April 13. Both games were played at the WU Softball Field, with each game ending on the run rule.
McMINNVILLE, ORE. -- Linfield College received strong pitching performances from Karina Paavola and Shelby VandeBergh, as the Wildcats held off Willamette University for a pair of Northwest Conference wins, 4-1 and 2-1, on Saturday, April 12 at Del Smith Stadium. Paavola tossed a two-hitter in the first game and VandeBergh threw a five-hitter in the second game.
SALEM, ORE. -- George Fox University has been declared the winner by a 9-2 final score in the softball game that was suspended due to darkness with two outs in the top of the seventh inning on Wednesday, April 9. The game was the second half of a doubleheader of makeup games. GFU won 14-5 in the first game, which lasted two and a half hours.
SALEM, ORE. -- Clinging to a half-game lead over fifth place George Fox University in the Northwest Conference standings, Willamette University softball's postseason hopes will be on the line this weekend when the Bearcats play four games against the NWC's top team: archrival Linfield College.
SALEM, ORE. -- George Fox University broke open a 4-2 game with five runs in the sixth inning on its way to a 14-5 victory over Willamette University in the first game of a Northwest Conference doubleheader on Wednesday, April 9 at the WU Softball Field. The second game was suspended in the top of the seventh inning due to darkness with GFU leading 9-2.
SALEM, ORE. -- Alex Shields (Fr., C, Lake Forest, CA/El Toro HS) and Ashley Pender (So., 2B, Reno, NV/North Valley HS) smacked back-to-back 2-run doubles in the sixth inning to rally Willamette University past Pacific Lutheran University, 7-5, on Tuesday, April 8 at the WU Softball Field in the completion of a previously suspended game.
PORTLAND, ORE. -- Freshman pitcher Jade Smith (Chico, CA/Chico HS) struck out five batters, gave up nine hits and did not allow a walk, while throwing all seven innings, as Willamette University defeated Lewis & Clark College, 8-5, in the first game of a Northwest Conference doubleheader on Sunday, April 6. WU used nine hits, five L&C errors and 14 stolen bases to outscore the Pioneers.
PORTLAND, ORE. -- The softball teams from Willamette University and Lewis & Clark College were rained out of action on Saturday, April 5, forcing the postponement of their Northwest Conference doubleheader. No make-up date was determined.
SALEM, ORE. -- Sitting in third place in the Northwest Conference with only eleven games left in the regular season, the Willamette University softball team will travel to Portland, Ore., for a crucial four-game set against rival Lewis & Clark College.
PARKLAND, WASH. -- Freshman pitcher Jade Smith (Chico, CA/Chico HS) threw a complete game and allowed only seven hits, leading Willamette University to a 5-2 victory over Pacific Lutheran University in the first game of a doubleheader on Monday, March 31 at PLU Field. The Bearcats smacked two home runs to help Smith earn the win.