Bearcats Claim Doubleheader Sweep of Whitman, 13-5 and 14-2

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

WALLA WALLA, WASH. -- Willamette University plated a total of 27 runs in two games on Saturday, April 4, as the Bearcats swept a doubleheader from Northwest Conference rival Whitman College. The Bearcats won the first game, 13-5, and took the second game, 14-2.

With the pair of wins, Willamette went to 8-7 in the NWC, while improving to 10-11 on the season. Whitman fell to 3-16 overall, 2-11 in the NWC.

The opener featured a strong starting effort from pitcher Chris Torgerson (So., RHP, Sacramento, CA/Jesuit HS). Torgerson, 1-1, threw seven innings, while allowing three runs and seven hits.

Whitman held a 1-0 advantage after one inning, but the Bearcats tallied two runs in the third stanza to move in front. Doug Bloom (So., SS, Salem, OR/South Salem HS) and Kyle Stalker (Sr., DH/1B, Bellevue, WA/Sammamish HS) each provided an RBI single. The Missionaries tied the game, 2-2, when Jason Sease singled and later scored on a ground out by Matt Morris-Rosenfeld.

The 'Cats inched ahead with single runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings. In the fourth, T.C. Lee (So., LF, Lafayette, CA/Acalanes HS) doubled and eventually scored. Michael Dearborn (So., CF/RF, Solana Beach, CA/Torrey Pines HS) doubled in the fifth, moved to third on a ground out and scored on a sacrifice fly by Stalker.

In the sixth, Jack McGee (Sr., 1B/3B, Hillsborough, CA/St. Ignatius HS) opened things with a double. McGee moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Lee and scored on a bunt single by David Tufo (Sr., 3B, San Bruno, CA/Burlingame HS), giving Willamette a 5-2 edge.

WU blew the game open with five runs in the top of the seventh. The Bearcats started the stanza with back-to-back doubles by Dearborn and Bloom. Stalker walked, then Rowan drove in Bloom with a double for an 7-2 lead. Stalker crossed the plate on a balk and McGee drove in Rowan with a sacrifice foul ball. Lee completed the big inning with a solo home run to left field.

Lee was 3 for 4 and scored three times in the opener. Dearborn, Bloom, Rowan and Tufo contributed two hits apiece. The Bearcats accumulated 16 hits, including seven doubles and two homers. Tim Shilf (Fr., 3B, Honolulu, HI/Iolani School) hit his first collegiate home run, a three-run blast in the ninth inning.

Erik Korsmo was 3 for 4 with two runs for Whitman in Game #1. The Missionaries received two hits each from Jay Richards (2 for 4) and Brian Kitamura (2 for 5).

In the second game, Bloom went 3 for 6 with two runs and two RBIs. McGee was 3 for 4 and matched Bloom with two runs and two RBIs.

Mitchell Rowan (Fr., RF, Cotati, CA/Rancho Cotate HS) and Lee each achieved a 2-for-4 performance. Max Stepan (So., C, Pueblo, CO/Pueblo County HS) was 2 for 5. McGee, Lee and Stepan each recorded a double during the game. Lee went 5 of 8 for the doubleheader.

WU scored twice in the first inning and once in the second for a 3-0 lead. The 'Cats plated four more runs in the fourth inning to increase the margin to 8-0. Willamette's fourth-inning outburst featured the doubles by McGee and Lee, with each bringing in one run.

Senior pitcher Kelsey Nakata (RHP, Mililani, HI/Mililani HS) threw the first five innings for Willamette and received the win. He allowed just four hits and now runs to improve to 1-1 on the season.

Nakata and three relievers combined on an eight-hitter. Whitman's two runs were scored in the eighth inning. Korsmo was 4 for 5, as he registered half of the Missionaries' hits during the game. He also had the game's only triple. He concluded the day 7 for 9 in the doubleheader.

Willamette and Whitman will finish the four-game series on Sunday, April 4, with a pair of 7-inning games. First pitch is set for 12 p.m. (PDT).