Willamette Splits with Northwest Nazarene and College of Idaho

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

NAMPA, Idaho -- Willamette University split a non-conference doubleheader on Tuesday, March 24, as the Bearcats lost to Northwest Nazarene University in the first game, 9-3, before defeating College of Idaho, 8-3, in the second game. Both halves of the doubleheader were played at Halle Field on the Northwest Nazarene campus.

Willamette ended the day at 4-14 overall. Northwest Nazarene was 4-20 after playing the Bearcats, while College of Idaho dropped to 11-18. Willamette competes in NCAA Division III. Northwest Nazarene is a member of NCAA Division II and College of Idaho competes in the NAIA.

Northwest Nazarene scored nine unearned runs in its 9-3 win over Willamette.

The Crusaders built a 3-0 lead with three runs in the first inning. With one out, Lily Paschal went to first on a fielding error. Gatalina Schuster hit a fielder's choice that resulted in another error, allowing Paschal to reach second. Ashley Pezek homered to drive in all three runs.

WU scored one run in the next half inning. Amanda Absher (Sr., C, Elk Grove, CA/Franklin HS) hit a single to open the stanza. She moved to second on a passed ball and reached third and home on a wild throw by the catcher.

In the bottom of the second, Northwest Nazarene increased its lead to 5-1 with two runs on three hits and an error. Schuster drove in one run with a sacrifice fly. Kiahna Brown, who singled earlier in the inning, eventually reached home on a double steal.

The Bearcats pulled within 5-3 in the top of the third on runs scored by Erin Norris (Sr., 3B/C, Salem, OR/South Salem HS) and Steffany Dunn (So., INF, Colfax, CA/Colfax HS). Ashley Pender (Jr., 2B, Reno, NV/North Valleys HS) brought home Norris with a bases-loaded walk and Absher drove in Dunn with an RBI single to center. WU left three runners on base.

NNU pulled away with four runs in the sixth inning, as an error with two outs kept the Crusaders on offense, while allowing the first two runs to score. Pesek added an RBI single and Whitney Carlton belted an RBI double to complete the scoring.

Pesek was 2 for 3 with a home run and four RBIs, while Carlton finished 2 for 4. Absher went 2 for 4 with a run and an RBI for Willamette. Jenna King (Sr., RF, Camarillo, CA/Adolfo Camarillo HS) also went 2 for 4.

The winning pitcher was Pesek, who threw all seven inning with 12 strikeouts and three walks. She gave up nine hits and all three runs (two earned). WU starter Hayley Glantz (Sr., P, Reno, NV/Robert McQueen HS) pitched three innings and took the loss.

Willamette surged out to a 4-0 lead against College of Idaho in the third inning of the second game.

Kayla Rieger (Sr., OF, Anacortes, WA/Anacortes HS/Adelphi Univ.) singled and stole second base to begin the inning. Molly Lathrop (So., OF, Maple Valley, WA/Tahoma HS) batted next and walked. One out later, Rieger stole third and then scored on a single by Myranda Ramirez (So., OF, Sunnyvale, CA/Homestead HS).

A fielding error allowed King to reach base and sent Lathrop home from second base. Pender was hit by a pitch, which loaded the bases. Absher reached base on a fielder's choice, as King was thrown out at third and Ramirez scored. Mallory Asaro (So., SS, Rocklin, CA/Rocklin HS) followed with an RBI double to center, allowing Absher to cross the plate.

The Lady Yotes pulled within 4-1 in the bottom of the third, but the Bearcats responded with a pair of runs in the top of the fourth. With two outs, Heather Winslow (Sr., 1B, Oregon City, OR/Oregon City HS) was hit by a pitch. Ramirez earned an infield hit and King sent an RBI single up the middle. Pender added a single down the left field line to score Ramirez.

College of Idaho tacked on two runs in the bottom of the fourth to cut the margin to 6-3. Chelsea Szymanski provided an RBI single and Jodie Hoagland belted an RBI triple.

Absher smacked a two-run homer to left field for the Bearcats in the top of the seventh. Pender also scored on the play. It was Absher's first homer of the season.

Ramirez finished 2 for 4 with two runs and an RBI. Absher was 1 for 4 with her home run and three RBIs. Alex Shields (So., C, Lake Forest, CA/El Toro HS) was 1 for 4 with a double. A total of seven Bearcats earned at least one hit during the game. Hoagland was 3 for 4 with an RBI for the Lady Yotes, while Szymanski went 2 for 3 with a run and an RBI.

Pitcher Jade Smith (So., P, Chico, CA/Chico HS) tossed all seven innings to earn the win for Willamette. She struck out two batters, while allowing 10 hits and no walks. She improved to 3-5 on the season. Cortni Pena threw the first four innings for C of I and fell to 8-8 on the season.

Willamette will play two games against Northwest Nazarene on Wednesday, March 25. The first game is slated to begin at 12 p.m. (MDT)/1 p.m. (PDT).