Game between WU and Linfield is Suspended in Top of 6th

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

SALEM, ORE. -- The Willamette University Bearcats and the Linfield College Wildcats played into the top of the sixth inning in their Northwest Conference baseball game on Sunday, March 13 before a torrential downpour stopped the action with WU leading 4-3. The teams plan to continue the suspended game on Monday, March 14, starting at 4:30 p.m. at John Lewis Field.

Kevin Allan hit a solo home run to left center in the second inning. Willamette moved in front, 2-1, when Max Stepan (Sr., DH/C, Pueblo, CO/Pueblo County HS) doubled in a pair of runs in the bottom of the third.

The Wildcats regained the lead at 3-2 by scoring twice in the top of the fourth. Nate McCellan drove in Cole Bixenman on a ground out to tie the score. Kevin Coleman brought Kyle Chamberlain with a single up the middle.

Willamette tied the game when Tosh Semlacher (Fr., 3B, Gold River, CA/Jesuit HS) singled, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Brandon Chinn (Fr., 1B, Salem, OR/Sprague HS) and scored on a two-out single by Tommy Kawamura (Fr., 2B, Renton, WA/Lindbergh HS).

Stepan gave WU a 4-3 lead in the bottom of the fifth with a solo home run to right field. It was Stepan's fifth home run of the season and 19th of his career.

Chamberlain grounded out to first base to start the top of the sixth for Linfield. Allan faced a 1-1 count when the downpour started, ultimately suspending the game.

WU starting pitcher Chris Torgerson (Sr., RHP, Sacramento, CA/Jesuit HS) pitched all 6 1/3 innings for Willamette. The Wildcats' starter, Chris Mueller, went 3 2/3 innings before he was relieved by Zach Manley.