Bearcats Surge Past Pioneers for 14-3 Win to Sweep Series

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

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University trailed 3-2 afterLewis & Clark College scored three runs in the fourth inning, but the Bearcats responded with six runs in the bottom of the fifth and added six runs in the sixth, on their way to a 14-2 victory over the Pioneers on Sunday, March 22. WU improved to 16-4 overall, including 7-2 at John Lewis Field.

The Bearcats now lead the NWC by the smallest of margins in a logjam at the top of the standings. Willamette is 9-4 (.692), with Pacific Lutheran University (10-4, .667) and Whitworth University (8-4, .667) tied for second. Puget Sound is fourth at 8-5 (.615), with George Fox University in fifth at 7-5 (.583) and Linfield College in sixth at 6-6 (.500).

Lewis & Clark fell to 3-19 on the season, 2-10 in the NWC.

In Sunday's game, the Bearcats outhit the Pioneers 15-8 to sweep the three-game NWC series. Willamette also swept the season series, which included three games at Wilsonville High School (Ore.), on Feb. 14-15.

Starting pitcher Jackson Watt recorded Sunday's win for the Bearcats. He threw six innings and struck out five batters while allowing no walks. He gave up six hits and three runs.

WU took a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Troy Conway (Fr., INF, Moorpark, CA/Moorpark HS) led off with a single through the left side. Rolenn Himuro (Sr., OF, Honolulu, HI/Punahou School) walked and was thrown out at second when Hunter Gallant (Sr., 3B/SS, Rescue, CA/Ponderosa HS) hit into a fielder's choice. A passed ball allowed Conway to score, as Gallant went to second.

After Tiras Koon (Sr., 1B, Honolulu, HI/Iolani School) walked, Brad Breier (Sr., C, Torrance, CA/South HS) singled down the left field line to bring home Gallant.

L&C tallied three runs on four singles in the fourth. To start the rally, Michael Kinkenon singled through the left side, just out of the reach of shortstop Nate Bush (Fr., INF, Boise, ID/Boise HS). EJ Hand singled through the right side, with the ball barely hitting Koon's arm as he was diving to make a play.

Andrew Traver hit a single to right field to score Kinkenon from third. Connor Eggleston followed with a bunt single toward first to load the bases. Tommy Massari was hit by a pitch to bring in the second run. A sacrifice fly to left center by Sean Shepherd drove in Traver, as L&C took a 3-2 lead.

In the bottom of the fifth, WU plated six runs on six hits -- all singles. With one out, Jordan Ramp (Sr., LF/RHP, Sherwood, OR/Sherwood HS/Saddleback College) beat out an infield single near first base. After the second out was recorded, Conway singled up the middle and Himuro walked. Gallant drove in two runs with a single to center field, and moved to second on the throw home.

Koon walked to reload the bases and Breier followed with a two-run single to center. Austin Hagarty (Jr., 2B, Roseville, CA/Woodcreek HS) and Bush each added an RBI single. The Bearcats led 8-3.

Willamette's six runs in the sixth inning were achieved on four hits and an error. Cameron Igarashi (Fr., OF, Honolulu, HI/Mid-Pacific Institute) and Conway began the inning with back-to-back doubles, as Igarashi scored the first run. Later, Hagarty contributed a two-run single and Bush brought in the final two runs with a homer to left field. It was his first home run for the Bearcats.

Conway went 4 for 5 with two runs and an RBI. Bush was 2 for 4 with one run and three RBIs. Breier went 2 for 3 with two runs, a walk and three RBIs, while Hagarty was 2 for 4, scored once and drove in three runs. Himuro earned two runs and had three walks. Koon also walked three times and scored twice.

After Watt pitched the first six innings for the Bearcats, Andrew Koumelis (Jr., LHP, Roseville, CA/Jesuit HS/Sacramento City College), Jett Gallagher (Fr., RHP, Santa Cruz, CA/Santa Cruz HS) and Jared Spohr (Fr., LHP, Elk Grove, CA/Pleasant Grove HS) each threw one scoreless inning.

For L&C, Hand was 3 for 4 with a run scored. Five other Pioneers achieved one hit apiece. Starter Alex Heimbrodt took the pitching loss and fell to 1-4. He went 4 2/3 innings and allowed six hits and eight runs.

Willamette will host crosstown rival Corban University at on Tuesday, March 24 at John Lewis Field in a non-conference game. First pitch has been changed to 3 p.m. (PDT).