Shull's Two-Run Single Caps Bearcat 9th Inning Rally to Beat Cal Lutheran 3-2

ATHERTON, CA: Travis Shull hit a two-run single with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning as the Willamette University mens baseball team opened the 2004 season with a dramatic 3-2 win over Cal-Lutheran at the Menlo College tournament Friday.

Jeff Jensen got the win after pitching one inning in relief. Zach Vande Griend pitched six strong innings, allowing only one run. Brian Gilmore gave up the other Cal run in two inning of work.

In the deciding ninth inning, the Bearcats were down to their final out when Kelly Gilmore singled. Matt Johnson followed with a walk before Colin Griffin singled in the Bearcats first run. After Ken Halpin was hit by a pitch to load the bases, Shull singled to right, driving in Griffin and Johnson with the tying and winning runs.

Cal Lutheran had taken a two-run lead in the bottom of the eighth when Michael Cerda homered off Gilmore. The first Cal run came in the fourth when G. Buchanan drove in D. Chapparo who reached on an error.

For the game, the Bearcats out-hit Cal 10-3. Andrew Bartels went 2-3 and eight other Bearcats had a hit apiece, including the key ninth inning hits by Griffin and Shull. The three Bearcat pitchers combined for 12 strikeouts, including nine by Vande Griend.

The Bearcats continue play in the Menlo tournament Saturday.