Willamette Holds Corban to Five Hits in 5-2 Win over Warriors

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

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University played solid defense and picked up three extra-base hits on offense, as the Bearcats defeated crosstown rival Corban University, 5-2, at Warrior Field on Tuesday, March 31. The Bearcats limited the Warriors to five hits -- all singles -- and Willamette did not commit an error. WU registered eight hits on offense.

The Bearcats improved to 18-7 on the season. Corban dropped to 17-19.

Five Bearcat pitchers combined for 101 pitches, including 72 strikes, while earning six strikeouts without allowing a walk. Starter Lucas Still (Fr., RHP, Sacramento, CA/Christian Brothers HS) evened his record at 1-1 with the win. Andrew Koumelis (Jr., LHP, Roseville, CA/Jesuit HS/Sacramento City College) recorded his third save by pitching the final 1 1/3 innings.

On offense, Rolenn Himuro (Sr., CF, Honolulu, HI/Punahou School) belted a triple for the Bearcats, while Tiras Koon (Sr., 1B, Honolulu, HI/Iolani School) and Gordie Clary (Jr., UT, Vacaville, CA/Vacaville HS) pounded out one double apiece. Himuro and Clary each finished 2 for 3.

Willamette put up the game's first two runs in the top of the second. With one out, Clary sent a double to left center. Jack Brett (Fr., C, Aurora, CO/Regis Jesuit HS) singled to right field to advance Clary to third. Perry van Eckhardt (Fr., OF, El Cerrito, CA/El Cerrito HS), who ran for Brett, went to second on a wild pitch.

Shea Harrison (Jr., RHP/OF, El Cerrito, CA/El Cerrito HS) drove in Clary with a single to right. Aaron Fong (Fr., SS, Honolulu, HI/Punahou School) brought home Van Eckhardt on a groundout to the shortstop.

Corban cut the lead to 2-1 in the bottom of the second. Peter Martin and Vince Gonzalez each singled to right field to start the inning. Ben Straka hit a bunt single toward third to load the bases. Still struck out Braden Wolgamott, but Martin scored on a groundout by Tyler Dordan. Still kept the lead intact by striking out Jarett Thoren.

WU plated two runs to take a 4-1 lead in the third inning. Himuro opened the stanza by reaching first base on a bunt single that was fielded by pitcher Jordan Johansen. Koon doubled to center field, sending Himuro to third base. Mason Fessler (Fr., 3B, Woodburn, OR/Blanchet Catholic School) hit a sacrifice fly to right field to score Himuro.

Koon went to third on the sacrifice fly. He crossed the plate when Jordan Ramp (Sr., RHP, Sherwood, OR/Sherwood HS/Saddleback College) followed with a groundout to second base. Clary singled and stole second base, but a grounder to shortstop ended the inning.

The Warriors, who collected three hits in the second inning, were unable to record another hit until the seventh. Willamette extended its lead to 5-1 in the top of the seventh. Brad Breier (Sr., C, Torrance, CA/South HS) pinch-hit with one out and received a walk. He advanced to second on a wild pitch, and then scored on Himuro's triple to right field.

Corban scored one run in the bottom of the seventh after Martin was hit by a pitch and reached second on a single by Gonzalez. A fly out by Benjamin Liogon moved Martin to third, and Scott Dreier followed with an RBI single to right. WU pitcher Eland Tsubata (Sr., LHP, Honolulu, HI/Iolani School), who started the inning, forced a strikeout and a pop-up to get out of the inning.

Jett Gallagher (Fr., RHP, Santa Cruz, CA/Santa Cruz HS) picked up two quick outs for the Bearcats in the bottom of the eighth before giving way to Koumelis to finish the game. Koumelis struck out Nic Coffman to complete the eighth. He faced just three batters in the ninth.

Gonzalez was the only Warrior with more than one hit, as he went 2 for 4 during the game. Corban starting pitcher Dallas Broge gave up three hits and two runs, while falling to 1-3 on the season. Overall, five Corban pitchers combined for three strikeouts and five walks.

Willamette will host Northwest Conference rival Pacific University on Friday, April 3, and Saturday, April 4 at John Lewis Field. The Bearcats and the Boxers will play one game on Friday at 3 p.m. (PDT), followed by a doubleheader on Saturday starting at 12 p.m.