Boxers Score Six Runs in Second Inning, Defeat Bearcats, 9-4

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

FOREST GROVE, Ore. -- Pacific University scored six runs in the second inning and the Boxers went on to defeat the Willamette University Bearcats, 9-4, on Sunday, May 3 in a non-conference game at Chuck Bafaro Stadium. Pacific ended the year at 21-19, while the Bearcats concluded the season at 21-18.

In the top of the second inning, Tiras Koon (Sr., 1B, Honolulu, HI/Iolani School) of Willamette received a leadoff walk. He advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Mason Fessler (Fr., DH/INF, Woodburn, OR/Blanchet Catholic School) and went to third on a groundout by Jordan Ramp (Sr., LF, Sherwood, OR/Sherwood HS/Saddleback College).

Koon scored when a pop-up by Nate Bush (Fr., SS, Boise, ID/Boise HS) was misplayed by the first baseman near the mound.

The Boxers responded with six runs on five hits in the bottom of the inning. The third and fourth runs scored on a wild throw home by Hunter Gallant (Sr., 3B, Rescue, CA/Ponderosa HS) following a bases-loaded grounder to third. Nathan Suyematsu drove in the final two runs with a single to center field.

WU starter Jackson Watt (Jr., RHP, Rocklin, CA/Whitney HS) recovered to strike out the side in the bottom of the third.

The Bearcats had runners at first and second in the top of the fifth on a pair of two-out singles by Rolenn Himuro (Sr., CF, Honolulu, HI/Punahou School) and Gallant. It looked like Willamette might cash in, but a long ball by Koon to the right field power alley was caught near the warning track by right fielder Walker Olis.

Austin Gallagher hit a two-out, two-run single in the bottom of the fifth to increase Pacific's lead to 8-1. The Boxers threatened in the seventh inning, but left the bases loaded.

Willamette scored the next run in the eighth inning, when Gallant hit a one-out double to left center and Koon drove him home with a double down the left field line. Pacific add a run of its own in the bottom of the eighth.

Three consecutive hits by Devin Bales (Sr., RF, Graham, WA/Graham-Kapowsin HS/Grays Harbor College), Jacob Parra (Jr., C, Everett, WA/Mariner HS/Edmonds CC) and Cameron Igarashi (Fr., OF, Honolulu, HI/Mid-Pacific Institute) loaded the bases for the Bearcats with one out in the top of the ninth.

Bales scored on a sacrifice fly to center by Himuro. Parra reached home on a single by Blake Lepire Koon then hit a high blooper to left, but Matt Hopp made a shoestring catch to end the game.

Pacific starter Colin McCusker went six innings and impoved to 3-2 after allowing four hits and one unearned run. He had three strikeouts and two walks. Relief pitcher Tyler Kotchik picked up his 10th save by throwing the final three innings and allowing three runs on three hits.

Watt took the loss and fell to 4-5. He allowed seven hits and seven runs -- five earned -- while striking out six batters in 4 1/3 innings. Eland Tsubata (Sr., LHP, Honolulu, HI/Iolani School) gave up one run in 2 1/3 innings. Lucas Still (Fr., RHP, Sacramento, CA/Christian Brothers HS) gave up one run in 1 1/3 innings.

Gallant and Parra each went 2 of 4 and scored a run for the Bearcats. Koon and Gallant both hit a double. For Pacific, Suyematsu was 3 for 5 with three RBIs, Gallagher was 2 for 3 with a run and three RBIs, and Kyle Treadway went 2 for 3 and scored twice. Olis and Treadway belted doubles.