Willamette Sweeps Doubleheader against Pacific Lutheran, 9-1 and 15-7

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

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University swept a doubleheader from Pacific Lutheran University at the WU Softball Field on Friday, April 3, winning both games on the run rule. The Bearcats downed the Lutes 9-1 in five innings in the first game, and won the second game 15-7 in six innings.

The Bearcats upped their record to 9-17 on the season, including 6-10 in the NWC. Willamette is 8-4 in its last 12 games. Pacific Lutheran fell to 15-13 overall, 8-8 in the NWC.

Jade Smith (So., P, Chico, CA/Chico HS) registered both victories for Willamette. She threw all five innings in the opener and tossed the final 2 2/3 innings in the second game.

Kayla Rieger (Sr., 3B/OF, Anacortes, WA/Anacortes HS/Adelphi Univ.) belted a grand slam for the Bearcats in the fifth inning of the first game. Also hitting a homer in the opener was Emily McConnell of PLU, who belted a solo shot in the second inning.

The Bearcats pounded out six doubles in the second game. Amanda Absher (Sr., C, Elk Grove, CA/Franklin HS) earned two of the doubles, while Rieger, Heather Winslow (Sr., 1B, Oregon City, OR/Oregon City HS), Myranda Ramirez (So., CF, Sunnyvale, CA/Homestead HS), and Ashley Pender (Jr., 2B, Reno, NV/North Valleys HS) each registered one double.

Pacific Lutheran had two doubles in the second game, one each by Elli Rassbach and Tori Hamura.

The first game was a pitchers' duel between Smith of Willamette and Marissa Miller of Pacific Lutheran until the bottom of the fifth. WU took a 1-0 lead in the first inning, when Winslow was hit by a pitch, stole second and third, and scored on a single by Absher. Pacific Lutheran tied the game on McConnell's home run.

Willamette surged into a 3-1 advantage with two runs on four hits in the third stanza. Ramirez singled with one out, went to second on a single by Pender, and crossed the plate on a double by Absher. Pender went on to score on a wild pitch.

The score remained the same until the Bearcats exploded four six runs on two hits and three errors in the bottom of the fifth. An error, a walk and another error loaded the bases for Rieger, whose grand slam to center field gave WU a 7-1 lead. Winslow brought in the next run when she walked four batters later. Ramirez drove in the final run with an infield single.

WU built a 6-1 lead in the first two innings of the second game and never relinquished the lead. After PLU scored a run on consecutive doubles by Rassbach and Hamura in the first inning, the Bearcats answered with three runs in the bottom of the frame. Pender and Absher each hit an RBI double, while Rieger earned an RBI single.

In the second inning, Ramirez drove in two runs with a double to left field and went to third on the throw home. Absher added her second RBI double of the game.

The Lutes cut the lead to 6-3 in the top of the third, but Willamette plated four runs in the bottom of the inning. Carrie Fox (Fr., LF, Dupont, WA/Steilacoom HS) and Ramirez provided RBI singles. Pender completed the attack with a two-run single up the middle.

PLU tallied three runs in the fourth inning, with two scoring on a single by Rassbach. The runs pulled the Lutes within 10-7, but WU added three runs in the bottom of the fourth and one run in the fifth for a 14-7 lead. Winslow smacked an RBI double and Ramirez tacked on an RBI single in the fourth. In the fifth inning, Rieger doubled and later scored on a wild pitch.

Willamette completed the run-rule victory by plating a run in the sixth. Winslow singled and stole second to start the inning. With one out, Pender drove in Winslow from second with a single up the middle.

The Bearcats achieved 26 hits during the doubleheader, including 18 hits in the second game. Smith threw a four-hitter with two strikeouts in the opener. She allowed three hits and no runs as a reliever in the second game. The Lutes managed 11 hits overall in the second game, but couldn't keep pace with Willamette's double-digit scoring effort.

In the opener, Ramirez went 2 for 4 with two runs an an RBI. Absher was 2 for 3 with two RBIs. Pender scored twice, while Rieger drove in four runs.

Winslow, Ramirez and Pender each went 3 for 4 in the second game. Winslow scored four runs and added an RBI, while Ramirez earned three runs and four RBIs. Pender scored once and drove in four runs. Absher, Rieger and Jenna King (Sr., OF, Camarillo, CA/Adolfo Camarillo HS) contributed two hits apiece.

For PLU, McConnell was 2 for 2 with a run and an RBI in the opener. Hamura was 3 for 3 with three RBIs in the second game.

The Bearcats will remain at home to play University of Puget Sound in two NWC games on Saturday, April 4. The twinbill will begin at 12 p.m. (PDT).