Bearcats Fall to Loggers in Doubleheader, 16-2 and 6-5

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

TACOMA, WASH. -- University of Puget Sound defeated Willamette University in both games of a doubleheader on Tuesday, April 7, as the Loggers won 16-2 and 6-5 at Logger Field. The wins gave UPS a sweep of the three-game season series. Both games played on Tuesday were rained out on March 15.

Puget Sound evened its record at 15-15, while improving to 13-8 in the Northwest Conference. Willamette dropped to 18-12 overall, 10-11 in the NWC.

The Loggers took advantage of five Willamette errors in the first game to score seven unearned runs. In the second game, Puget Sound benefited from six errors by the Bearcats, as the Loggers tallied three unearned runs.

Willamette trailed 4-1 in the second game, but battled back to take a 5-4 lead in the seventh inning, before Puget Sound rallied with two runs in the bottom of the ninth.

UPS claimed a 2-0 lead in the second inning of game two, as a leadoff single by Nathan Backes and two errors helped the Loggers. Backes and Layne Croney scored the runs on groundouts by Troy Kakugawa and Johnny Hosmer. The margin reached 3-0 in the third when Chris Zerio walked with two outs and later scored on a double by Backes.

The Bearcats scored a run in the fourth. Mason Fessler (Fr., DH, Woodburn, OR/Blanchet Catholic School) singled up the middle and reached second on a single by Gordie Clary (Jr., RF/RHP, Vacaville, CA/Vacaville HS). Shea Harrison (Jr., LF/RHP, El Cerrito, CA/El Cerrito HS) also singled to load the bases. One out later, Fessler scored on a sacrifice fly by Aaron Fong (Fr., SS, Honolulu, HI/Punahou School).

Kakugawa doubled to open Puget Sound's next at bat, and eventually reached the plate on a single by Cal Muramaru. The Loggers held a 4-1 advantage.

The scored didn't change until the top of the seventh, when the Bearcats tallied four runs. Brad Breier (Sr., C, Torrance, CA/South HS) singled to start the rally. He reached the plate two batters later on a groundout by Austin Hagarty (Jr., 2B, Roseville, CA/Woodcreek HS).

Rolenn Himuro (Sr., CF, Honolulu, HI/Punahou School) singled and reached second on a throwing error, before scoring on a double by Hunter Gallant (Sr., 3B, Rescue, CA/Ponderosa HS). Tiras Koon (Sr., 1B, Honolulu, HI/Iolani School) was intentionally walked. Fessler belted a double to center field to drive in Gallant and Koon, giving WU a 5-4 lead.

In the bottom of the ninth, Nic Alarcio grounded out, but Zerio, Bobb Hosmer and Backes hit consecutive singles to tie the game. With Hosmer on third and Backes at first, Layne Croney hit an infield single toward the mound to load the bases. Kaulana Smith reached base on a fielder's choice, as pinch-runner Yuki Umeda scored the winning run.

UPS surged out to an 8-0 lead after three innings in the opener. The Loggers plated two runs in the first inning and then scored three runs each in the second and third stanzas. Three of Willamette's errors were in the first inning, as both runs were unearned. Bobb Hosmer contributed an RBI with a single and Nathan Backes recorded an RBI on a groundout.

Willamette scored its first run in the top of the fourth. Gallant singled through the left side, and went to third on a groundout by Koon. Fessler also grounded out, but earned an RBI as Gallant scored on the play.

The Loggers were in front 11-1 entering Willamette's at bat in the sixth inning. With two outs, Koon blasted a homer to right field. It was his team-leading eighth home run of the season.

Puget Sound recorded the game's final five runs in the bottom of the sixth. Johnny Hosmer and Zerio each drove in one run with an RBI, while Bobb Hosmer belted a two-RBI double. Muramaru also pushed a run across the plate with a single during the inning.

Zerio was 5 of 9 during the doubleheader with three runs and two RBIs for the Loggers. Backes was 6 for 10 overall, after going 3 for 5 in each game. He scored two runs and recorded five RBIs. Backes hit a two-run homer in the fourth inning of the first game.

Also for UPS, Muramaru and Croney each went 4 for 4 in the first game. Muramaru finished the doubleheader 6 of 8 at the plate.

For Willamette, Gallant went 3 for 8 overall with two runs and one RBI. He was 2 for 3 in the first game. Fessler and Harrison each went 2 for 4 in the second game, while Himuro was 2 for 5. After belting a home run in three at bats in the opener, Koon was 0 for 2 with three walks in the second game. He scored one run in each game.

The Bearcats will host Occidental College (Calif.) in a non-conference series this weekend at John Lewis Field. One game will be played on Friday, April 10 starting at 3 p.m. (PDT). On Saturday, April 11, the Bearcats and the Tigers will play a doubleheader, with first pitch set for 12 p.m.