Bearcats and Bulldogs Each Win 5-4 to Split Doubleheader in California

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

REDLANDS, Calif. -- Willamette University defeated University of Redlands, 5-4, in the first game of a doubleheader on Tuesday, March 28 when Jocelyn Glasgo (Fr., P/OF, Rochester, WA/Tumwater HS) blasted a leadoff homer in the top of the seventh inning. In the second game, Redlands scored a run with two outs in the bottom of the sixth to break a 4-4 tie on its way to a matching 5-4 win.

For Willamette, Steffany Dunn (Sr., RF, Colfax, CA/Colfax HS) smacked a home run in both games. She has hit a homer in three games in a row.

The Bearcats ended the day with an 8-8 overall record. The Bulldogs moved to 9-15.

Glasgo's Homer Caps Win for Bearcats in Opener

The home run by Glasgo gave Willamette the lead for good in the first game. The Bearcats trailed 3-2 after three innings, but took a 4-3 advantage in the top of the fourth, before Redlands tied the game with a run in the fifth.

WU scored the game's first two runs in the top of the second. Mallory Asaro (Sr., SS, Rocklin, CA/Rocklin HS) opened the inning with a single to left field. Two outs later, Dunn sent a pitch over the left field fence for a two-run homer.

The Bulldogs plated three runs in the third. Redlands recorded back-to-back singles by Jordyn Smith and Amanda Ang to start the frame, and then took advantage of three Willamette errors. The first two errors occurred after Ang's single through the left side, allowing Smith to score and Ang to reach third. With two outs, Summer Smith was hit by a pitch. Ang then scored on a double-steal. Smith crossed the plate when Ursyla Baumgarten reached base on the third error.

Unphased, the Bearcats answered with two runs in their next at bat. Darian Gibson (So., LF, Newport Beach, CA/Calvary HS) hit a leadoff double and went to third on a flyout by Asaro. Kea Gier (Fr., 3B, Kaneohe, HI/Iolani School) drove in Gibson with a single to left and advanced to second on the play. Gier gave WU a 4-3 lead when Dunn reached first on an error by the pitcher.

Shannon Skrzynski singled and eventually scored for Redlands in the the bottom of the fifth for a 4-4 tie. She went to second on a ground out, reached third on an infield single, and scored on a sacrifice bunt by Lali Garza. 

Glasgo's leadoff homer to open the seventh inning propeled Willamette back into the lead. Glasgo also pitched in the bottom of the seventh.

Marissa Romero batted first for the Bulldogs during their last trip to the plate. She reched first on an error by Glasgo. Smith batted next and line out to center field. Romero reached second on a wild pitch and advanced to third on a ground out by Garza. Glasgo struck out Baumgarten to end the game and earn her second save of the season.

Reanna Lancaster (So., P, Los Altos, CA/Mountain View HS), who pitched the fourth, fifth and sixth innings for the Bearcats, improved to 1-0 with the win. She allowed one run and five hits. WU starter Jade Smith (Sr., P, Chico, CA/Chico HS) gave up three runs -- all unearned -- in three innings in the circle.

WU Battles Back from 4-0 Deficit, but Redlands Wins Game 2

Redlands build a 4-0 lead in the second game, but Willamette rallied to tie the score at 4-4, before the Bulldogs recorded the game's final run.

Neither team scored in the first inning, but the Bulldogs pushed four runs across the plate in the bottom of the second. The inning featured five hits for Redlands, including a leadoff double by Mika Imoto. Two outs later, Olivia Vierra single to left field to bring home Imoto. The Bulldogs added an RBI single by Ang, before Skrzynski drove in two runs with a homer to left field.

Willamette reduced the lead to 4-2 in the third inning. Both runs scored on a single by Asaro with the bases loaded and two outs.

The Bearcats tacked on two more runs in the fifth inning to tie the game. Miki Takara (Fr., 2B, Pearl City, HI/Maryknoll HS) received a walk to open the inning. Dunn batted second and smashed a two-run homer to left field. The Bulldogs survived two walks issued to the Bearcats later in the inning.

In the bottom of the sixth, Vierra struck out and Ang grounded out for two quick outs. Skrzynski reached second on an two-base error in the outfield. Romero then hit into an error by Lancaster in the circle. Skrzynski scored on the play. Smith struck out to complete the inning.

Nicole Stanzione pitched the final nine outs for Redlands. She entered the game following Dunn's homer in the fifth. Stanzione, now 1-0, did not allow a hit and faced only 11 batters, including just three in the seventh. Lancaster fell to 1-1 with the loss for Willamette.

Romero was 3 of 4 for the Bulldogs. Skyzynski was 1 of 4 with two runs and two RBIs. For Willamette, Dunn finished 2 of 4 with two runs and two RBIs.

Up Next for Willamette

The Bearcats will play a doubleheader at Pomona-Pitzer in Claremont, California, on Wednesday, March 29. First pitch is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. (PDT).