Bearcats Register 14 Hits to Roll Past Corban, 11-1

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

KEIZER, ORE. -- Willamette University pounded 14 hits, including a triple and three doubles, as the Bearcats routed Corban University, 11-1, at Volcanoes Stadium on Wednesday, April 17. The Bearcats also received strong pitching, as five hurlers combined to hold Corban to three hits -- all singles.

WU led 3-0 after four innings, scored three times in the fifth and added five runs in the sixth to build an 11-0 lead. The Warriors tallied their only run in the top of the eighth.

The Bearcats improved to 15-18 on the season, while Corban dropped to 25-20. Despite losing on Wednesday, the Warriors won the season series, 3-1, including two wins over the Bearcats in extra innings.

Hunter Gallant (So., 3B, Rescue, CA/Ponderosa HS) was 3 for 5 at the plate with two doubles, two runs and four RBIs for Willamette. Tiras Koon (So., C, Honolulu, HI/Iolani School) went 3 for 4 with a triple and three RBIs.

Brad Breier (So., DH/C, Torrance, CA/South HS) was 1 for 2 with a double, two runs and three RBIs. He leads Willamette with a .350 batting average.

Kyle Kunkel, Matt Hamlin and Jeremiah Forrister each had one hit for Corban.

Willamette starting pitcher, Albert Garcia (Fr., LHP, Broomfield, CO/Broomfield HS) faced just three batters in the first inning, and did not allow a hit until Kunkel and Hamlin earned back-to-back singles with one out in the fourth.

Meanwhile, the Bearcats scored a run in three of the first four innings.

Tyson Giza (Sr., CF, Salem, OR/Sprague HS) walked to start the bottom of the first. He stole second base, moved to third on a groundout and scored when Gallant grounded out to shortstop.

In the third inning, Ben Petersen (Sr., C, Rocklin, CA/Rocklin HS/Butte College) singled and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Austin Hagarty (Fr., IF, Roseville, CA/Woodcreek HS). In the fourth, Breier walked with one out and Koon drove him across the plate with a triple to center.

WU extended its advantage to 6-0 in the fifth inning. With one out, Hagarty singled and then went to second on a balk. Gallant earned an RBI with a double down the right field line, and Tosh Semlacher (Jr., LF, Gold River, CA/Jesuit HS) followed with an infield single that just missed hitting Gallant near the shortstop. Breier brought Gallant home with a sacrifice fly.

While Koon batted next, Semlacher got caught in a run-down on a pick-off play at first, but the ball went sailing out of the shortstop's glove as he tagged Semlacher. The error allowed Semlacher to proceed to second base. He scored when Koon singled to right field.

The Bearcats achieved five runs on five hits in the sixth. Singles by Petersen with no outs and Giza with one out started the rally, and then Hagarty walked. Gallant belted a two-RBI single and Breier added a two-RBI double. The final run of the inning was scored by Breier when Koon hit a single to left field.

In the eighth inning, Jake Kunkel reached base for Corban on an error. He scored with one out and runners at the corners when Kyle Kunkel grounded out to third. Two walks loaded the bases, but Forrister grounded out to end the inning.

Garcia, now 2-4, pitched four innings in a pre-determined rotation and picked up the win. Jackson Watt (Fr., RHP, Rocklin, CA/Whitney HS) threw two innings, before Peter Davis (Fr., RHP/OF, Portland, OR/Jesuit HS), Jordan Ramp (Fr., RHP, Sherwood, OR/Sherwood HS/Saddleback College) and Nate Balk (Fr., RHP, Everett, WA/Cascade HS) pitched one inning apiece.

Corban starting pitcher Ransom Storm took the loss and fell to 2-1. He gave up one hit and two runs (one earned) in three innings.

Willamette will play a Northwest Conference series at Whitworth University in Spokane, Wash., this weekend. On Saturday, April 20, the Bearcats and the Pirates will play two games, starting at 12 p.m. (PDT). On Sunday, April 21, the teams will play one game, with first pitch set for 12 p.m.