Gallant's Six Hits Help Bearcats Defeat Lewis & Clark, 15-14, in 11 Innings

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

PORTLAND, ORE. -- Hunter Gallant (So., 3B, Rescue, CA/Ponderosa HS) went 6 for 7 at the plate, and the Willamette University baseball team scored four runs in the top of the 11th inning, before holding Lewis & Clark College to three runs in the bottom of the stanza, as the Bearcats edged the Pioneers, 15-14, on Tuesday, April 23 in a non-conference game.

Gallant registered a triple, three doubles and two singles, as he hit for three-quarters of the cycle. Tosh Semlacher (Jr., RF, Gold River, CA/Jesuit HS) blasted two home runs immediately following doubles by Gallant, while Brad Breier (So., C, Torrance, CA/South HS) delivered one homer for the Bearcats.

Willamette improved to 18-19 overall, while Lewis & Clark fell to 9-28. The Bearcats concluded the season series with a 4-1 record against the Pioneers.

The Bearcats scored once in the first inning, but the Pioneers tallied three runs in the second and increased their lead to 4-1 in the third. Willamette countered with four runs in the top of the fourth, including two runs on a double by Brandon Chinn (Jr., 1B, Salem, OR/Sprague HS) to go up 5-4.

Lewis & Clark scored six runs in the fifth inning to claim a 10-5 lead. After one run scored, Evan Gray hit a two-RBI single down the left field line to give L&C a 7-5 lead. Later, Geoff Wertz capped the inning with a two-run double.

Travis Wilson (Fr., LHP, Orangevale, CA/Bella Vista HS) entered the game to pitch for WU and ended the inning with a groundout. Wilson kept the Pioneers scoreless over the next three innings, while allowing one hit.

Meanwhile, Willamette rallied for an 11-10 lead. The Bearcats earned one run in the sixth, before Semlacher hit the first of his two-run homers in the seventh to cut the deficit to 10-8. Two innings later, Semlacher provided another two-run homer with no outs in the ninth. Breier followed with a solo homer.

With two outs in the bottom of the ninth, Andrew Traver and John Trupin were at second and third for L&C. Liam Healey singled through the right side to drive in Traver. Trupin also tried to score, but Semlacher threw to Petersen (Sr., C, Rocklin, CA/Rocklin HS/Butte College) for an out at the plate.

Singles by Giza and Gallant, plus a walk issued to Breier, loaded the bases for WU with two outs in the 10th. A deep fly ball by Andrew Wilson (So., OF, Granite Bay, CA/Granite Bay HS) was caught in foul territory for the third out.

Wertz singled in the bottom of the 10th. He reached third with two outs, but was stranded when pitcher Garrett Davis (Jr., RHP, Marysville, WA/Pilchuck HS) struck out Michael Kinkenon.

Petersen walked for WU in the 11th. Matt Hirsch (Fr., SS, Edmonds, WA/Meadowdale HS) sacrificed and Chinn walked. A wild pitch moved Petersen to third, before Giza sent him home with a fielder's choice, as Chinn was forced out at second.

Austin Hagarty (Fr., IF, Roseville, CA/Woodcreek HS) walked, and then Gallant smacked a two-run triple into the right field corner. Gallant also crossed the plate after the third baseman mishandled the throw.

Traver singled and Corey Davis walked for L&C in the bottom of the 11th. Gray brought in Traver with a double. Two outs later, Wertz walked to load the bases and Lezak hit a two-run double, cutting the margin to 15-14.

Reliever Henry Harrison (Sr., LHP, Nevada City, CA/Nevada Union HS) went to the mound. He forced Eric Hyun into a grounder to second base to end the game with runners at second and third. Harrison received his first save.

Garrett Davis went to 1-0 for WU. Corey Davis, who moved from right field to pitcher during the 11th inning, fell to 0-1. Each team used five pitchers.

Gallant's 6-for-7 performance helped him earn four runs and two RBIs. Breier went 3 for 3. Semlacher was 2 for 5 with five RBIs. Petersen went 2 for 4.

Wertz finished 5 of 6 for with three RBIs for Lewis & Clark. Traver was 3 for 4 and scored five times, while Lezak went 3 for 7. L&C outhit Willamette, 18-16.

The Bearcats will close out the season with three games against Northwest Conference foe University of Puget Sound. The first game is on Saturday, April 27 at 2 p.m. (PDT). A doubleheader is set for Sunday, April 28 at 12 p.m.

Willamette is 11-10 in the NWC, while Puget Sound is 10-11. The Bearcats are tied for third place and the Loggers are tied for fifth.