Knapp Blasts a Homer and a Double as Bearcats Down Boxers, 16-4 and 11-3

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

FOREST GROVE, Ore. -- Willamette University defeated Pacific University, 16-4 and 11-3, while earning a total of 25 hits, in a Northwest Conference doubleheader at Sherman/Larkins Stadium on Wednesday evening, May 1, that was originally scheduled for Saturday, April 27. The second game ended on the run rule in five innings. The games were postponed on Saturday when an umpire was unable to get to Forest Grove. With the wins on Wednesday, the Bearcats swept the four-game series.

On Wednesday, Kendra Knapp (Sr., RF, Portland, OR/Sunset HS) led the way for WU with a home run and a double in the second game, while Brianna Majors (Grad., SS/2B, San Diego, CA/Cathedral Catholic HS) smacked a triple in game two. Cora Erickson (Sr., C, Issaquah, WA/Issaquah HS) connected for a double in each game.

Willamette upped its record to 17-17, including 13-11 in the NWC. Pacific fell to 7-29, 3-21 in the NWC. The Bearcats are fourth in the NWC, one game behind Pacific Lutheran University (14-10) in third and two games in front of George Fox University (11-13) in fifth. The top four teams in the final NWC standings will qualify for the NWC Softball Tournament, set for May 10-12.

The Bearcats will play a doubleheader at NWC-leading Linfield University on Saturday, May 4 in McMinnville, Oregon, starting at 12 p.m. PDT. The teams will complete the series with a twinbill at WU Softball Field in Salem on Sunday, May 5, at 11 a.m. Linfield is 36-0 and ranked #2 in this week's NFCA Top 25 Coaches Poll for NCAA Division III. The Wildcats are 24-0 in the NWC.

Bearcats Turn 7-3 Lead into 16-4 Rout in 7th Inning of Game 1

In the first game, the Bearcats took advantage of 14 hits and eight errors by Pacific to win 16-4. The Bearcats took a 7-3 lead into the seventh, then added nine runs (seven earned) for a 16-3 edge. The Boxers tacked on a run in the bottom of the seventh.

A leadoff double by Erickson in the fifth inning was the only extra-base hit by the Bearcats, but the 13 singles led to 10 RBIs. WU also earned two RBIs on bases-loaded walks in the seventh inning plus one RBI on a groundout in the seventh.

Willamette grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Maris Pinheiro (Fy., C/OF, Tulare, CA/Tulare Union HS) singles, and went to second when Faith Collar (Jr., UT, Portland, OR/Roosevelt HS) reached first on an error. Pinheiro advanced to third when Emma Elliott (So., OF, Battle Ground, WA/Battle Ground HS) walked, and scored on a single by Majors.

In the second inning, WU plated five runs for a 6-0 advantage. Key hits were RBI singles by Pinherio, Elliott, and Desirae Hatfield (Fy., INF, Salem, OR/South Salem HS). Sophia Lucio (Sr., RF, Martinez, CA/College Park HS) and Knapp also singled during the stanza.

Michelle Winfield doubled to start the bottom of the third for Pacific's only extra-base hit in the game. She scored later in the inning. The Boxers added two runs in the fifth frame to pull within 6-3, as Ellie Ishikawa scored on a double steal and Kaiya Tom crossed the plate on a sacrifice fly. WU scored once in the top of the sixth. With two outs, Majors reached first and second on an infield error, then scored on a single by Hatfield.

WU's nine-run inning soon followed. The first two batters -- Erickson and Jenna Hopkins (Fy., INF, Mt. Angel, OR/John F. Kennedy HS) -- reached base on errors. The next nine batters went to first on a mixture of six hits and three walks. Elliott smacked a two-run single, and RBI singles went to Stella Pucket (Fy., OF, Salem, OR/Sprague HS), Knapp, and Erickson.

Jordyn Johnson (Sr., P, Winslow, AZ/Winslow HS) improved to 5-8 with the win. She pitched all seven innings and allowed six hits and two walks, while accumulating seven strikeouts. On offense, Elliott, Hatfield, and Knapp were each 2 for 4, while Pinheiro and Erickson each went 2 for 5. Pinheiro scored three runs, while Elliott recorded three RBIs.

Homer by Knapp and Triple by Majors Help WU Win 11-3

The Bearcats pounded 11 hits in the second game, including five for extra bases, to secure an 11-3 win on the run rule. Willamette scored in just two of the five innings played, but plated six runs in the third frame and tacked on five runs in the fourth stanza.

A scoreless game changed quickly in the top of the third. Majors tripled to center field with two outs, Collar at first and Pinheiro at second. Both runners scored. After Harley Raymond (Jr., 1B, Moses Lake, WA/Moses Lake HS/Columbia Basin College) walked, Erickson sent a double into center, sending Majors and Raymond across the plate. Knapp batted next and launched a two-run homer to left field for a 6-0 lead.

Willamette's half of the fourth inning featured a leadoff double by Pinheiro followed by an RBI single from Collar. Elliott walked and Majors grounded out, sending Collar to third and Elliott to second. Raymond drove in Collar with another groundout, and Elliiott scored on an error. Erickson walked and then scored when Knapp doubled to left field. Hopkins completed the offensive surge with an RBI single to center. WU's lead reached 11-0.

The Boxers loaded the bases in the fourth on an error and two walks. WU pitcher Kenna Davis (Jr., Alameda, CA/Alameda HS) escaped by causing Ryley Vickroy to line into a double play before striking out Ishikawa. Pacific scored three runs -- one with two outs -- in the fifth. Johnson pitched to the final two batters, walking Vickroy and forcing Ishikawa to fly out.

Davis' record advanced to 11-6 with the win. She pitched 4 2/3 innings, and allowed three runs on six hits, while striking out four batters and allowing five walks. Knapp was 2 for 2 with her home run and double. She scored twice and earned three RBIs. Hopkins and Lucio were both 2 for 3. Majors and Erickson each provided two RBIs.