Wagner is Chosen as NWC Baseball Position Player Student-Athlete of the Week

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University junior Layton Wagner (DH/RHP, Boise, ID/Timberline HS), who smacked two 2-run homers against George Fox University on Saturday, Feb. 19, has been selected as the Northwest Conference Baseball Position Player Student-Athlete of the Week. Wagner hit .400 during the weekend (4 for 10) while helping the Bearcats win two of three games from the Bruins over the weekend. Willamette downed GFU, 3-2 and 7-1 on Saturday, before the Bruins won the third game of the series, 11-5, on Sunday.

Wagner blasted the first of his two 2-run homers in the bottom of the second inning in Saturday's first game. The home run sailed out of the park several yards inside the left field foul pole. Wagner recorded his second homer in the third inning of the second game, as he launched the ball over the left field fence. He finished 1 for 2 with a run and two RBIs in the opener and was 2 for 4 with two runs and three RBIs in the second game.

"Layton had some big swings over the weekend," Willamette Head Baseball Coach Aaron Swick said. "His home run in game 1 was the difference-maker. He has the capability of being a spark for us with the bat."

In addition, Wagner pitched the first 5 2/3 innings of the series opener. He allowed one run and five hits while striking out five batters. He did not receive the pitching win, which went to reliever Brady Joyner (So., RHP, Las Vegas, NV/Shadow Ridge HS). So far this season, Wagner has struck out 12 batters in 11 2/3 innings pitched.

The Bearcats are 4-3 on the season and 2-1 in the NWC. They will take on Pacific Lutheran University in a three-game NWC series on Saturday, Feb. 26 and Sunday, Feb. 27. WU and PLU will play a doubleheader on Saturday starting at 11 a.m. (PST). The teams will complete the weekend with a single game on Sunday at 12 p.m.