Puget Sound Defeats Willamette, 4-1, as Bearcats End Season at 22-17-1

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

SALEM, ORE. -- The University of Puget Sound defeated Willamette University, 4-1, in a Northwest Conference baseball game on Sunday, May 1 to prevent the Bearcats from sweeping the three-game series at John Lewis Field. WU pulled within 2-1 in the bottom of the eighth, but the Loggers added two runs in the ninth.

Willamette, which won 9-1 and 10-6 on Saturday, concluded the season at 22-17-1 overall, 12-12 in the NWC. Puget Sound ended its schedule with a 17-17 record, 15-9 in the NWC.

Chris Torgerson (Sr., RHP, Sacramento, CA/Jesuit HS) pitched the first seven innings for the Bearcats. He gave up just two runs -- only one was earned -- and four hits. He struck out three batters and did not allow a walk.

Puget Sound starter Nathan Aguiar threw 7 1/3 innings. He struck out four batters and had two walks, while improving to 3-3 on the season.

The game was scoreless until UPS plated two runs in the top of the fifth inning.

Jeff Walton singled to start the inning. Casey Coberly followed with a single through the right side. Chaz Kramer batted next and bunted a grounder toward the mound. Torgerson threw out Walton at third on the play.

Nick Chermiske singled to center to score Coberly with the game's first run. A wild throw on a pick-off play allowed Kramer to reach third. He scored the second run on a sacrifice fly to left field by Craig Driver.

Willamette had a chance to get a rally underway in the bottom of the sixth. Ross Knutsen (Sr., C/DH, Warrenton, OR/Seaside HS) opened the frame with a single and Sky Kelley (So., RF, Portland, OR/Jesuit HS) entered the game to pinch-run. Tommy Kawamura (Fr., 2B, Renton, WA/Lindbergh HS) singled to right field, sending Kelley to third.

Tyson Giza (So., CF, Salem, OR/Sprague HS) grounded out to first, as the runners advanced to second and third. T.C. Lee (Sr., LF, Lafayette, CA/Acalanes HS) walked to load the bases. Max Stepan (Sr., C, Pueblo, CO/Pueblo County HS) flied out to right field, as UPS escaped the inning with its 2-0 lead intact.

WU pushed across one run in the eighth inning, but couldn't find the key hit to produce additional runs.

Kelly walked and went to second when Aguiar made a throwing error on a pick-off attempt. Doug Bloom (Salem, OR/South Salem HS) was called out on a controversial high strike on the 11th pitch of his at bat, after the senior shortstop fouled off five consecutive pitches. With one out, Kawamura walked and Giza walked.

Lee singled through the left side of the infield to bring home Kelly. A strikeout and a ground out ended the threat.

Puget Sound tacked on a pair of runs in the Loggers' final trip to the plate. Matt Cox singled, went to second on a hit from Walton and scored on a single by Coberly. The second run was recorded by Walton when Driver walked with the bases loaded.

Alex Lavery (Fr., IF, San Jose, CA/Bellarmine Prep) doubled for WU with one out in the bottom of the ninth and Bloom singled to center one out later. UPS reliever Alex Baugh, who pitched the final 1 2/3 innings for his first save of the season, ended the game with a strikeout.

Each team ended the game with seven hits. For Puget Sound, Coberly was 3 for 4 with a run and a strikeout, while Walton finished 2 for 4. Seven players registered one hit apiece for the Bearcats. Lavery's double was the only extra-base hit for either team.

Bloom, who already held Willamette's career records for runs scored, stolen bases and assists, set another record with four at bats, giving him 584 career at bats. He broke the old record of 581, set by Sean Anderson from 2005-08. Bloom concluded his career with 145 runs, 54 stolen bases and 499 assists.

Lee was 1 for 3 with a walk to conclude the year as WU's top hitter this season with a .417 batting average. He placed second on the Bearcats' all-time career list in batting average (.368), home runs (34), hits (201) and doubles (45). He barely missed tying the WU career record of 202 hits, set by Nik Lubisich from 1998-01.

Tosh Semlacher (Fr., 3B, Gold River, CA/Jesuit HS) had a solid day at third base for the Bearcats. He registered six assists, including three on plays where he covered significant ground toward second base.

Prior to the game, Willamette honored its nine seniors. Completing their careers at WU this spring were:

Nate Bender (RHP, Seattle, WA/Roosevelt HS)
Doug Bloom (SS, Salem, OR/South Salem HS)
Devin Grindy (RHP, Washougal, WA/Camas HS)
Ryan Hood-Taylor (RHP, Scio, OR/Scio HS)
Ross Knutsen (C, Warrenton, OR/Seaside HS)
T.C. Lee (LF, Lafayette, CA/Acalanes HS)
Max Stepan (C, Pueblo, CO/Pueblo County HS)
Chris Torgerson (RHP, Sacramento, CA/Jesuit HS)
Andrew Wyman (RHP, Seattle, WA/Ballard HS)