Davis, Elliott, and Hatfield Earn Big Plays in Sweep of Warner Pacific, 9-3 and 6-5

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Kenna Davis (Jr., 3B/SS/P, Alameda, CA/Alameda HS) struck out 10 batters and Emma Elliott (So., OF, Battle Ground, WA/Battle Ground HS) hit a double and a three-run homer, as Willamette University defeated Warner Pacific University, 9-3, in the first game of a softball doubleheader on Saturday, Feb. 24 at WU Softball Field. In the second game, Desirae Hatfield (Fy., INF, Salem, OR/South Salem HS) led the Bearcats to a 6-5 victory with a walk-off groundout in the bottom of the seventh inning to go along with a 2-for-4 performance at the plate.

The pair of wins advanced Willamette's record to 2-2 on the season, while Warner Pacific fell to 0-6. The Bearcats outhit the Warriors 10-6 in the first game and 9-6 in the second game.

Davis Strikes Out 10 Batters, Elliott Hits a 3-Run Homer, in Game 1

Successful pitching by Davis, including her 10 strikeouts, led a strong defensive performance in the first game. She allowed just six hits and three walks. Elliott topped the offensive efforts as she went 2 of 3 with her double and three-run homer, plus a walk and two runs scored.

WU struck early in the game, when Brianna Majors (Grad., SS/2B, San Diego, CA/Cathedral Catholic HS) grounded out to second with runners at second and third in the bottom of the first inning. Mia Rogers (So., 2B/SS/P, Sammamish, WA/Skyline HS) scored on the play.

The Bearcats increased their lead to 2-0 in the third inning with an RBI single through the left side by Majors. Elliott scored from second base after hitting into a fielder's choice and then stealing second.

Warner Pacific evened the score in the top of the fourth on an RBI double by Kili Makanani and an RBI single from Nia Tate. Willamette answered with two runs in the bottom of the inning. Runners Mia Lund (Sr., OF/UT, Omaha, NE/Westside HS) and Faith Collar (Jr., P/UT, Portland, OR/Roosevelt HS) crossed the plate on a double to left center by Maris Pinheiro (Fy., C/OF, Tulare, CA/Tulare Union HS) for a 4-2 lead.

Collar added a sacrifice fly to center field in the fifth inning to drive in Stella Puckett (Fy., OF, Salem, OR/Sprague HS). WU broke open the game with four runs in the sixth inning, with Elliott's homer providing the first three runs. Collar brought in the fourth run with a single to left field, as the Bearcats grabbed a 9-2 lead. The Warriors tallied a single run in the top of the seventh, but Davis finished a complete game for the win.

Matching Elliott with two hits during the game for Willamette were Collar and Majors. Collar was 2 for 3 with a run and two RBIs, while Majors went 2 of 4 with a run and two RBIs. Six WPU players each registered one hit for the Warriors.

Bearcats Score Run in Bottom of 7th for 6-5 Win in Game 2

Willamette rallied from an early 4-0 deficit to eventually take a 5-4 lead in the fourth inning of the second game. Warner Pacific tied the game in the sixth. The Bearcats won 6-5 when Hatfield grounded out to shortstop with the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh, allowing Elizabeth Durrenberger (Fy., OF, Antioch, CA/Deer Valley HS) to score from third. The walk-off groundout ended the game with one out in the inning.

The Warriors tallied four runs in the top of the first inning. Briana Munoz hit an RBI single to bring in the first run. Two runs scored when Maddie Gamble reached base on a throwing error. Later, Gamble scored when a fielder's choice attempt by the Bearcats failed to throw out Gamble at the plate.

WU pulled back one run in the bottom of the first. Elliott was hit by a pitch to start the inning, then stole second and scored on a single to center by Hatfield. The Bearcat plated three runs in the third stanza for a 4-4 tie. Elliott began the inning with a single. Maggie Fleischmann (Fy., INF, Fresno, CA/Central HS) singled down the right field line, sending Elliott to third. Elliott scored on a single to center by Hatfield. Fleischmann crossed the plate later in the inning.

Collar scored on an RBI single by Jenna Hopkins (Fy., INF, Mt. Angel, OR/John F. Kennedy HS) in the fourth inning, as WU surged in front 5-4. In the top of the sixth, Gamble recorded the tying run for WPU on a single by Nikki O'Reilly, but the Warriors left the bases loaded despite four hits during the stanza.

Rogers, who went to the mound in the second inning, faced just three batters in the top of the seventh with a groundout, an out on a foul ball, and another groundout. Rogers' performance helped set up WU's winning efforts in the bottom of the seventh. Rogers allowed just four hits, one run, and one walk in six innings.

For Willamette, Hatfield was 2 of 4 with three RBIs and a run scored, while Hopkins finished 2 of 3 with an RBI. As in the first game, six Warriors each achieved one hit in the second game.

Willamette will return to action with a total of four games in Tucson, Arizona, on Saturday, March 2 and Sunday, March 3. The Bearcats will play Drew University (N.J.) once each day, and will take on Dickinson State University (N.D.) on Saturday and St. John Fischer University (N.Y.) on Sunday.