Davis Throws Shutout as Bearcats Split a Doubleheader at Whitworth

Spokane, Wash. - Willamette Softball came away with a split of their doubleheader with Whitworth, winning game one 2-0 and falling 4-3 in game two.  Kenna Davis pitched a complete game shutout in game one and Desirae Hatfield and Mia Lund provided the RBIs.  Hatfield and Lund had scoring hits in the second game as well, but two late runs by the Pirates gave them the lead in the sixth and the eventual 4-3 victory.

The opening game was a pitching duel throughout as neither team was able to score through the first five innings.  Willamette was able to put two runners on base in the second and Whitworth threatened in the fourth inning, but it was the Bearcats who finally broke through in the top of the 6th.

Singles from Maris Pinheiro, Mia Rogers, and Emma Elliott loaded the bases for the Bearcats and another single by Hatfield scored the first run.  A Mia Lund groundout scored the second run and gave Willamette a 2-0 lead.  The Pirates had singles in their half of both the sixth and seventh innings, but Davis was able to shut them down to keep them off the scoreboard.

Davis pitched a complete-game shutout for Willamette, scattering seven hits and striking out six, to earn her second win of the season.  Hatfield had two hits and the game-winning RBI.  

Willamette got off to a strong start in game two, scoring two runs in the top of the first inning thanks to four singles in their first five at-bats.  Whitworth got one back in the bottom of the first, but the Bearcats took their two-run lead back in the top of the fourth when Mia Lund singled to bring home Jenns Hopkins who had led off the inning with a double.  

Willamette carried a 3-2 lead into the bottom of the sixth, but the Pirates came away from that inning with a 4-3 lead as three walks and a single led to two runs for Whitworth.  Maris Pinheiro singled to lead off the seventh for Willamette, but the Bearcats were unable to bring her home as the game ended at 4-3 in favor of the Pirates.

Pinheiro had three hits in game two to lead the Bearcats, while Lund and Elliott each had two.  Elizabeth Hillier started the game at pitcher for Willamette and gave us two runs on three hits through four innings.  

The Bearcats and Pirates are scheduled to complete the four-game series with another doubleheader tomorrow, Saturday, March 15th.  Game one is scheduled to start at 11:00 am.