Clutch Hitting Carries PLU Past Bearcats; Elliott Hits Homer and Double for WU

By Charlie McGuire, Athletics Communications Assistant

TACOMA, Wash. – The Willamette University softball team dropped a heartbreaker in the opening game of a Northwest Conference doubleheader at Pacific Lutheran University on Sunday, April 7. The Lutes rallied with four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to tie the game, 4-4, and used a solo home run to earn the win in the eighth.

PLU put six runs on the board in the second inning of game two before a rain delay halted play. The Lutes extended the lead to 9-0 with a three-run double in the fourth to take the nightcap.

Late Rally Leads Lutes to 5-4 Win in Extra Innings

The teams battled through three scoreless innings before the Bearcats put two runs on the board in the fourth. Brianna Majors (Gr., SS/2B, San Diego, CA/Cathedral Catholic HS) led off the inning with a walk before Emma Elliott (So., OF, Battle Ground, WA/Battle Ground HS) launched a two-run home run to left center.

Willamette produced another run in the fifth. Desirae Hatfield (Fy., INF, Salem, OR/South Salem HS) and Faith Collar (Jr., UT, Portland, OR/Roosevelt HS) had back-to-back singles that later led to Hatfield coming in to score on a double steal.

PLU recorded a quick two outs to start the top of the seventh inning, but the Bearcats would come away with another run to lead 4-0 heading into the final at bat for the Lutes. Maggie Fleischmann (Fy., INF, Fresno, CA/Central HS) and Maris Pinheiro (Fy., C/OF, Tulare, CA/Tulare Union HS) tallied back-to-back singles and moved to second and third on a wild pitch. Majors and Elliott worked the count and drew back-to-back walks to bring in the run.

The Lutes came up big in the bottom of the seventh, tying the game to force extra innings. After a pair of singles Molly House went yard to cut the deficit to 4-3. PLU capitalized on a walk and a pair of singles to pull even with Jaycie Simplicia driving in the tying run.

The Bearcats put two runners on in the eighth but couldn't bring in a run. The Lutes then completed the rally as Zoe Smithson ended the game with a lead off home run to give PLU the 5-4 win.

Elliott led the Bearcats at the plate with her home run and three RBIs. Collar went 2-for-4 in the opener and Majors went 1-for-2 with a pair of walks.

Key Extra-Base Hits Give Lutes the Win in Game Two

Pacific Lutheran erupted for six runs on the bottom of the second inning of game two before a rain delay halted play for the second straight day. House started things off with a solo home run and the Lutes used a walk and three singles to stretch the lead to 3-0.

Casey Wright followed up with a three-run bomb to extend the lead to 6-0 before the rain picked up and paused the game. For the second straight day the tarp came out to stall the action.

The Lutes had another big inning in the fourth, scoring three runs with two outs to put the Bearcats against the wall with the run rule in effect, holding a 9-0 advantage. Three walks set up a three-run double from Paola Garcia.

The Bearcats needed to score twice to extend the game but were unable to put a runner on base as PLU held on for the Sunday sweep. Rachael Rhinehart held Willamette to just one hit in the nightcap.

Elliott had the lone hit for the Bearcats, recording a double in the first inning. Kenna Davis (Jr., 3B/SS/P, Alameda, CA/Alameda HS) struck out three in the first two innings.

Willamette slips to 7-15 overall and 3-7 in the Northwest Conference. PLU improved to 10-14 on the season and 5-7 in the NWC. The Bearcats are home next weekend, facing George Fox University in a pair of doubleheaders. The first pitch on Saturday, April 13 is scheduled for 12 p.m. PDT.