Willamette Outscores Pacific Twice, 14-12 and 7-6 in 10 Innings

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

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University and Pacific University stacked up on offensive statistics during their doubleheader on Saturday, March 29. The teams combined for 40 hits in the first game and 35 hits in the second, with the Bearcats edging out the Boxers, 14-12 and then 7-6 in 10 innings.

The Bearcats upped their record to 15-10 on the season, 9-4 in the Northwest Conference. Pacific ended the day at 8-13 overall, 2-9 in the NWC.

In the first game, Willamette trailed 9-4 after 2 1/2 innings, but scored seven runs in the bottom of the third and never trailed again. The game, however, was tied at 11-11 in the sixth inning. WU went in front for good with two runs in the bottom of the seventh.

The opener started with the Bearcats taking a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first on a double by Brandon Chinn (Sr., OF/1B, Salem, OR/Sprague HS), a single by Hunter Gallant (Jr., 3B, Rescue, CA/Ponderosa HS) and a two-RBI single by Ty Wyatt (Fr., DH/INF, Keizer, OR/McNary HS).

Pacific answered with five runs in the top of the second on five hits, but WU got two runs back in its next at bat. The Boxers tacked on four runs in the top of the third inning. WU responded immediately, this time pounding out eight hits to score seven runs and take an 11-9 lead.

The Boxers eventually tied the game with a run in the fifth inning and one more in the sixth. The tying run was scored by Kyle Treadway, who doubled to start the inning, went to third on a single by Nathan Suyematsu, and scored on a double steal.

Gallant hit a two-run single in the seventh to give the Bearcats a 13-11 advantage. Shea Harrison (So., 2B, El Cerrito, CA/El Cerrito HS) and Tommy Kawamura (Sr., SS/2B, Renton, WA/Lindbergh HS) scored on the play.

Justin Strayer of Pacific singled to start the eighth inning and later scored on a two-out single by Ben Duerr to cut the margin to 13-12. WU added an insurance run when Tosh Semlacher (Sr., CF, Gold River, CA/Jesuit HS) tripled to start the eighth and scored on a single by Breier.

The opener featured 20 hits by each team. Two Bearcats and two Boxers hit home runs during the game.

For Willamette, Tiras Koon (Jr., 1B/C, Honolulu, HI/Iolani School) hit a two-run shot to bring in the first two runs in the third inning. Gallant smacked a three-run homer later in the third stanza to complete the offensive explosion.

Pacific's home runs were hit by Treadway and Walker Olis. Treadway belted a two-run homer as the second batter in the third inning, while Olis hit a solo homer to start the fifth inning, pulling the Boxers within 11-10.

In the second game, WU built a 4-0 lead in the first three innings. Wyatt hit an RBI single and Koon provided a sacrifice fly in the first inning. Breier smacked a solo home run to left with one out in the second inning, and Gallant opened the third inning with another solo homer to left. The Boxers reduced the lead with a pair of runs in the top of the fourth.

Wyatt doubled to open the fifth inning for the Bearcats and eventually scored on a sacrifice fly be Semlacher. The Boxers answered with a an RBI single from Duerr in the sixth inning and tied the game at 5-5 with two runs in the seventh. Both runs scored on a sacrifice bunt by Strayer. Olis scored from third and Jimmy Brakebush made it home from second.

Brakebush got a good start on the play, as Willamette threw Strayer out at first. Breier blocked the plate with his left leg while fielding the throw home, but was unable to keep control after colliding with Brakkebush. The game remained 5-5 at the end of the ninth inning.

Pacific scored once in the top of the 10th, using three singles through the left side to break the tie and move in front 6-5. Nathan Suyematsu scored on a single by Brakebush.

Willamette tallied two runs in the bottom of the 10th. Semlacher led off with a double to left field and scored on a single by Breier.

When the ball came back into the infield, the Boxers tried to throw out Breier near first base, but the throw was wild and Breier advanced to third. Following two intentional walks, Breier scored the winning run with no outs on a long single to left field by Tommy Kawamura.

Jackson Watt pitched the final 2 1/3 innings of the second game to earn his second win of the day, while improving to 5-0 for Willamette. Watt also pitched the last three innings in the opener. Topher Mood of Pacific, who pitched the final five innings, fell to 0-2 with the loss.

Multiple players for both teams excelled at the plate. In the first game, Gallant was 4 for 5 with a double, a homer, two runs and five RBIs. Wyatt also went 4 for 5 with two RBIs, while Chinn (Sr., 1B, Salem, OR/Sprague HS) was 3 for 4 with two runs scored, and Breier was 3 for 5.

For Pacific in the first game, Strayer went 4 for 4 and scored twice. Treadway was 4 for 5 with three runs and two RBIs. Suyematsu went 3 for 6 and drove in three runs.

Breier added a 4-for-5 performance in the second game with two runs and two RBIs. He was 7 for 10 on the day. Kawamura finished 3 for 5 in the second game, while Gallant, Wyatt and Koon earned two hits apiece. Olis was 3 for 4 and Duerr was 3 for 5 with two RBIs for Pacific.

Gallant and Chinn made diving catches for WU. In the first game, Gallant dove in foul territory to make a catch on a bunt by Dan Jaffe. In the sixth inning of the second game, Chinn made a spectacular catch in right field with two outs to strand runners at second and third.

Willamette and Pacific will conclude the NWC series with a single contest on Sunday, March 30. First pitch at John Lewis Field is set for 12 p.m. (PDT).