Pirates Win Twice versus Bearcats, 5-4 and 5-2

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

SALEM, ORE. -- Whitworth University scored one run in the sixth inning and another run in the seventh of each game against Willamette University on Sunday, Feb. 23, as the Pirates broke a tie in the first contest and extended a one-run lead in the second to sweep the doubleheader, 5-4 and 5-2, at the WU Softball Field.

The Pirates advanced their record to 11-3 overall, 4-0 in the Northwest Conference. Willamette ended the day at 1-5 overall, 0-4 in the NWC.

In the first game, the Bearcats and the Pirates were tied 3-3 after five innings, but Whitworth moved in front 5-3 before WU scored once in the bottom of the seventh. In the second game. Whitworth held a 3-2 lead after five innings and extended its advantage with two insurance runs.

Heather Winslow (Jr., 1B, Oregon City, OR/Oregon City HS) went 4 for 5 during the doubleheader for Willamette. She was 3 for 3 with both of Willamette's RBIs in the second game. She was 1 for 2 with a double and a run scored in the first game.

For the Pirates, Shannon Wessel was 4 of 8. She finished 3 for 4 with two doubles and two runs in the first game, and hit a double in the second game. Peyton McMahon went 2 for 4 with three RBIs and a double for Whitworth in the opener. McMahon was 1 for 3 with a double in the second game.

Willamette scored the first two runs of the afternoon in the opening stanza of the first game.

Lead-off hitter Kayla Rieger (Jr., CF, Anacortes, WA/Anacortes HS) connected for an infield hit to shortstop, and then stole second. After another pitch, she moved toward third, enticing catcher Liss Martinez to throw toward second. The throw went into the outfield, allowing Rieger to score.

Winslow doubled to center, went to third on a groundout and scored on a passed ball to complete the inning.

Whitworth plated three runs on two hits and an error in the third inning. With one out and a runner on first, Wessel doubled down the left field line. A walk loaded the bases, and a wild pitch allowed Caylan Hael to score the first run. McMahon brought in the next two runs with a double to left field.

An infield single by Steffany Dunn (Fr., INF, Colfax, CA/Colfax HS) drove in the tying run for Willamette in the fourth. Erin Norris (Jr., C/DP, Salem, OR/South Salem HS) walked to start the inning, and pinch-runner Myranda Ramirez (Fr., OF, Sunnyvale, CA/Homestead HS) stole second base. Ramirez went to third on a groundout and scored on Dunn's looping hit in front of the shortstop.

The score remained 3-3 until the top of the sixth, when Kayla Batastini of Whitworth doubled with two outs and advanced the final two bases on a pair of wild pitches. The Pirates tacked on a run in the seventh, as Wessel singled, was sacrificed to second and scored on a single by McMahon.

With Willamette trailing by two runs, Mallory Asaro (Fr., SS, Rocklin, CA/Rocklin HS) singled in the bottom of the seventh. Dunn then hit the ball toward the circle, but a throwing error left runners at second and third.

Two outs later, with the runner still at second and third, pinch-hitter Christina Sayer (Fr., UTL, San Ramon, CA/Doughery Valley HS) hit an infield single on the left side to bring home Asaro. Rieger grounded out to end the game.

Whitworth starting pitcher Makayla Lefever (1-0) faced Asaro in the seventh before leaving the game. Madi Perez, who later pitched all seven innings in the second game, faced five batters to register her first save. Bearcat reliever Makayla Hari (Fr., P, Salem, OR/Blanchet Catholic HS) fell to 0-1.

A lead-off double by Julia Johnson in the second inning of the second game, started a two-run stanza for the Pirates. With one out, Megan John singled, sending Johnson to third. After John stole second base, Kelsey Stroshine hit a two-RBI single through the right side of the infield.

The Bearcats reduced the lead to 2-1 in the bottom of the third, as Rieger singled, stole second and scored on a single by Winslow. Sacha Clow singled and later scored for Whitworth in the fifth to give the Pirates a 3-1 advantage, but Rieger reached base on a dropped third strike in the bottom of the stanza and scored on another single by Winslow.

Willamette was unable to complete the comeback, as the Pirates scored an unearned run in the sixth and tacked on an additional unearned run in the seventh.

Perez struck out three Bearcats and allowed six hits to record the win. She improved to 5-1 on the season. Jade Smith (Fr., P, Chico, CA/Chico HS) pitched a complete game for the Bearcats and struck out four batters, while giving up eight hits. Neither pitcher allowed a walk.

Willamette will play Pacific University in a doubleheader on Saturday, March 1. First pitch in Forest Grove, Ore., is scheduled for 12 p.m. (PST).