Bearcats Sweep Doubleheader against Warner Pacific in Softball, 5-4 and 8-1

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University rallied from a 4-0 deficit with five runs in the bottom of the fourth inning and the Bearcats went on to defeat Warner Pacific University 5-4 in the first game of a softball doubleheader at WU Softball Field on Saturday, Feb. 11. In the second game, the Bearcats scored seven runs in the sixth inning to pull away for a 1-1 tie and defeat the Knights, 8-1. Willamette evened its record at 2-2, while Warner Pacific fell to 0-2.

WU pitchers Jordyn Johnson (Jr., P, Winslow, AZ/Winslow HS) and Kenna Davis (So., 3B/SS/P, Alameda, CA/Alameda HS) each tossed a complete game. Johnson allowed 10 hits and four runs, but struck out eight batters and gave up just one walk. She gave up all four runs in the top of the fourth inning before holding the Knights scoreless in the final three stanzas. Davis limited WPU to just eight hits and one run. She recorded five strikeouts and did not allow a walk.

The Bearcats pounded out five doubles in the doubleheader. Marykate DeLuca (Sr., C, San Diego, CA/San Diego International Studies) hit a double in both games. Gianna Marchese (Grad., 3B/1B, Seattle, WA/Bishop Blanchet HS/St. Martin's Univ.) belted a double in the opener, while Brianna Majors (Sr., SS/2B, San Diego, CA/Cathedral Catholic HS) and Mia Lund (Jr., UT, Omaha, NE/Westside HS) each smacked a double in the second game.

Warner Pacific registered three extra-base hits, all in the second game. E. Elliott hit a triple for the Knights, while Sammie Brauckmiller and Carrigan Foster each contributed a double.

"Jordyn and Kenna threw great for us today," Willamette Head Softball Coach Paige Hall noted. "They kept us in both ball games and allowed us to compete. Our bats finally came alive. It was exciting to see different girls step up in big situations to help us put runs on the scoreboard."