Willamette Defeats L&C at Volcanoes Stadium, 9-4

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

KEIZER, ORE. -- Willamette University scored the game's first seven runs, including five runs in the fifth inning, as the Bearcats downed Lewis & Clark College, 9-4, in a non-conference game at Volcanoes Stadium on the evening of Tuesday, April 15. The Bearcats advanced their record to 21-11 on the season, while L&C dropped to 9-23-1.

The Bearcats took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second. With one out, Tiras Koon (Jr., C/1B, Honolulu, HI/Iolani School) reached first on an error and Tosh Semlacher (Sr., CF, Gold River, CA/Jesuit HS) singled. Rolenn Himuro (Jr., OF, Honolulu, HI/Punahou School) moved both runners with a sacrifice bunt.

Austin Hagarty (So., 2B, Roseville, CA/Woodcreek HS) drove in Koon with an infield single on a tailing soft liner that went off the edge of the shortstop's glove. Semlacher scored later on a double-steal.

L&C left the bases loaded in the second inning, despite a walk to Hayden Higger and a single by Evan Gray with no outs. In addition, Ben Beck got to first on an error with two outs. A grounder to first base ended the threat.

Willamette received three walks to load the bases with two outs in the third inning. A flyout got L&C starter Aaron Landecker out of the jam.

In the fifth, however, Willamette opened the inning with a walk and kept moving runners until five Bearcats crossed the plate. Brandon Chinn (Sr., OF/1B, Salem, OR/Sprague HS) benefited from the leadoff walk. He stole second, and went to third on an infield hit between first and second by Hunter Gallant (Jr., 3B/SS, Rescue, CA/Ponderosa HS).

The Pioneers sent Blake Howell to the mound. A wild pitch allowed Chinn to score, while Gallant went to second. Ty Wyatt (Fr., DH/INF, Keizer, OR/McNary HS) doubled to left field to bring home Gallant. Koon reached base when a fly ball to third was dropped, and then Semlacher provided a sacrifice bunt.

Rolenn Himuro (Jr., OF, Honolulu, HI/Punahou School) smacked a two-run triple to right center. It was Himuro's third triple in as many games. Hagarty hit a sacrifice fly to score Himuro.

Lewis & Clark cut the lead to 7-2 when Corey Davis belted a two-run homer to left in the bottom of the fifth. WU got both runs back in the seventh, as Tommy Kawamura (Sr., SS/2B, Renton, WA/Lindbergh HS) hit an RBI single and Blake Lepire (So., OF/1B, Vista, CA/Santa Ana College) earned a sacrifice fly.

Tommy Massari connected for a solo home run to score L&C's third run in the bottom of the seventh. The Pioneers added their final run in the ninth inning.

Willamette used four pitchers, with each throwing two or three innings. Shea Harrison (So., 2B/RHP, El Cerrito, CA/El Cerrito HS), who pitched in the third and fourth, was credited with the win. His record evened up at 1-1. Landecker took the loss for Lewis & Clark as he fell to 1-7.

Wyatt finished 2 for 3 with a run and an RBI for the Bearcats. Himuro went 1 for 3 with two runs and two RBIs. Koon scored twice, while Hagarty earned a hit, a run and two RBIs.

Davis went 3 for 4 while scoring two runs and recording two RBIs for L&C. Higger was 3 for 4. Massari went 2 for 4 with two runs and an RBI.

L&C outhit Willamette 13-8, but three Pioneer pitchers combined for 10 walks. Lewis & Clark stranded 13 runners, while WU had 11 runners left on base.

The Bearcats will return to Northwest Conference action this weekend, starting with a doubleheader at John Lewis Field on Friday, April 18 against Whitworth University. First pitch is set for 12 p.m. (PDT).