Bearcats Edge Pioneers 2-1 in Non-Conference Game, as Watt Earns 6th Save

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University never trailed, but broke a 1-1 tie when Kyle Paguio (Fr., 3B, Stevenson Ranch, CA/West Ranch HS) scored in the bottom of the sixth inning on a single by Troy Conway (So., 2B, Moorpark, CA/Moorpark HS), and the Bearcats went on to defeat Lewis & Clark College, 2-1, in a non-conference game on Tuesday, April 5.

The Bearcats improved to 17-15 on the season and to 5-3 at John Lewis Field. Lewis & Clark dropped to 11-22.

Relief pitcher Harbour Harrison moved to 3-0 with the win for the Bearcats. He entered the game with the bases loaded and one out in the fifth inning, but worked out of the jam. He allowed one hit and an unearned run in the sixth, and gave up one hit in the seventh.

Nolan Boggini (Fr., RHP, El Dorado Hills, CA/Oak Ridge HS) pitched in the eighth inning for Willamette and Jackson Watt (Sr., RHP, Rocklin, CA/Whitney HS) tossed the ninth inning. Watt picked up his sixth save of the season. He now has 13 career saves for sole possession of second place on WU's all-time list. Mike Corey is the career saves leader for the Bearcats with 23 from 1994 through 1998.

Starting pitchers Nathan Gilman (Fr., RHP, Chino Hills, CA/ Diamond Ranch HS) of Willamette and John Trupin of Lewis & Clark kept the game scoreless for four innings.

Gilman walked the first two L&C batters in the top of the fifth. The runners advanced two second and third on a sacrifice bunt by Carter Bagley. Christian Macdonald walked to load the bases. Harrison went to the mound for WU and forced Bradley Lezak to fly out to left center and Matt Donovan to fly out down the right fiedd line to end the inning.

In the bottom of the fifth, Gordie Clary (Sr., RF/LHP, Vacaville, CA/Vacaville HS) belted a leadoff double to left center for the Bearcats. He advanced to third on a ground out by Jack Brett (So., C, Aurora, CO/Regis Jesuit HS), and scored on a single up the middle by Jake Bradley (Fr., OF, Laguna Niguel, CA/St. Margaret's Episcopal School).

The Pioneers tied the game in the sixth inning. With one out, Sean Shepherd reached first base on a fielding error at third. A wild pitch allowed Shepherd to take second. One out later, with Shepherd still at second, Conner Sick hit an RBI single to left field. Sick advanced to second on a passed ball, but Harrison struck out Nick Lockwood for the third out.

Paquio started the bottom of the sixth with a single up the middle. Connor Bailey (Fr., LF, San Diego, CA/Scripps Ranch HS) provided a sacrifice bunt toward the pitcher to move Bailey to second. Conway singled between second and shortstop to bring Paquio across the plate with what proved to be the winning run.

L&C had two base runners in the ninth. Lockwood was hit by a pitch from Watt to begin the frame. After a sacrifice bunt advanced Lockwood to second, Watt struck out pinch-hitter Tommy Massari. Lezak was hit by a pitch. Watt ended the game by forcing Donovan into a fielder's choice toward third, with Paguio throwing out Lezak at second.

Bradley went 2 for 3 with an RBI at the plate for Willamette. Paquio was 1 for 3 with a run scored. The Bearcats outhit the Pioneers, 6-4.

For L&C, Sick was 2 for 3 and recorded a walk and one RBI. Trupin pitched all nine innings for the Pioneers, but fell to 0-4 with the loss.

Willamette will take on cross-town rival Corban University on Wednesday (April 6) at Volcanoes Stadium. Game time is set for 4 p.m. (PDT).