Johnson Pitches Four-Hitter as Bearcats Open Doubleheader with 2-1 Win

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

SALEM, Ore . -- Willamette University pitcher Jordyn Johnson (Sr., Winslow, AZ/Winslow HS) allowed just four hits in a 2-1 victory against Whitworth University in the first game of a Northwest Conference softball doubleheader at the WU Softball Field on Sunday, March 24. In the second game, Whitworth scored two runs in the top of the sixth and went on to defeat the Bearcats, 5-3.

The teams split the four-game NWC series. Willamette ended the weekend with a 6-12 record, including 2-6 in the NWC. Whitworth finished the series with a 6-14 record on the season, 2-6 in the NWC. 

Bearcats Win Pitchers' Duel in First Game, as Elliott Hits a Triple

Johnson pitched all seven innings in the opener, while striking out four batters in the 2-1 win. The Pirates finished the game with just four hits and two walks. Whitworth pitcher Corinne Vasiloff threw six innings and also allowed four hits. Vasiloff struck out nine Bearcats and gave up only one walk, but Willamette scored one run in the second inning to tie the game and one run in the third stanza to move in front.

Jazz Johnson of Whitworth singled to right center to start the second inning. One out later, she went to second on a wild pitch. With two outs, Kennedy Robison hit a double into center field to send Johnson across the plate.

In the bottom of the second, Emma Elliott (So., OF, Battle Ground, WA/Battle Ground HS) led off the inning with a triple to right center. Harley Raymond (Jr., 1B, Moses Lake, WA/Moses Lake HS/Columbia Basin College) walked, and Kendra Kendra Knapp (Sr., RF, Portland, OR/Sunset HS) grounded out, as Raymond reached second. Desirae Hatfield (Fy., INF, Salem, OR/South Salem HS) grounded out to second, but Elliott scored on the play.

One inning later, Mia Lund (Sr., OF/UT, Omaha, NE/Westside HS) singled through the left side with one out. Lund stole second base. Mia Rogers (So., 3B/P, Sammamish, WA/Skyline HS) drove in Lund with a two-out single. Willamette led 2-1, and Johson's pitching kept the lead intact.

Elliott was 2 of 3 for the Bearcats with a run and a triple. Lund and Rogers each provided one of Willamette's other two hits. Four players recorded one hit apiece for Whitworth, including doubles by Robison and Julia Dillon.

Pirates Break 3-3 Tie with Two Runs in 6th Inning of Game 2

Whitworth built a 3-0 lead in the second game with two runs in the second inning and one run in the fourth inning, but the Bearcats tallied three runs in the bottom of the fifth to tie the score. The Pirates broke the tie with a pair of runs in the sixth inning on their way to a 5-3 win.

Taylor Hofheins walked to open the second frame. One out later, Jessica Rusconi hit an infield single toward shortstop. A sacrifice bunt by Reagan Ellis sent the runners to second and third, while a single by Kelly Hruza drove in both Hofheins and Rusconi. In the fourth inning Rusconi homered to left field to give the Pirates a 3-0 margin. 

The Bearcats put up three runs in the fifth stanza to create a 3-3 deadlock. With two outs and runners at first and second, a passed ball allowed Cora Erickson (Sr., C, Issaquah, WA/Issaquah HS) to reach third base, while Raymond moved to second. Maris Pinheiro (Fy., C/OF, Tulare, CA/Tulare Union HS) walked to load the bases.

Rogers took advantage of the situation, as she hit a two-run single up the middle. Pinheiro advanced to third on the play and later scored on a wild pitch. The Bearcats reloaded the bases with two walks, but were unable to score a go-ahead run.

Whitworth's runs in the sixth inning were scored on an RBI single by Hruza and on a sacrifice bunt by Robison. Raymond walked for Willamette in the bottom of the seventh. One out later, Rogers was at the plate representing the tying run. Rogers hit a line drive toward second base, where Haley Montoya caught the ball and then threw to first base to throw out Raymond and complete a game-ending double play.

Relief pitcher Reiss McIntyre, now 2-0, registered the win for the Pirates. She tossed 2 1/3 innings with three walks, but didn't allow a run or a base hit. Kenna Davis (Jr., 3B/SS/P, Alameda, CA/Alameda HS) fell to 4-5 with the loss. Davis threw a complete game and struck out five batters.

The Bearcats will take on Pacific Lutheran University in an NWC doubleheader on Saturday, April 6 in Tacoma, Washington. Game time for the first game is set for 12 p.m. PDT.