Pacific Defeats Willamette in Third Game of NWC Series

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Pacific University defeated Willamette University, 10-1, in the third game of their Northwest Conference series on Sunday, Feb. 19 at John Lewis Field. Willamette won the series two games to one after outscoring the Boxers 11-9 and 9-4 in the first two games, which were played on Saturday. Willamette ended the weekend with a 6-3 overall record, including 2-1 in the NWC. Pacific improved to 4-5 overall, 1-2 in the NWC.

The Boxers achieved a 13-3 advantage in hits during Sunday's game, including four home runs. The game was 0-0 after four innings, but Pacific scored four runs in the top of the fifth, and added two runs in the sixth, seventh, and ninth innings. Willamette created its only run in the bottom of the ninth.

In the fifth inning, Pacific's runs were scored on a leadoff homer to left field by JP Lyssenko and a three-run homer to left by CJ Colyer with two outs. Dawson Tokishi drove in Lyssenko and Walker Matthews with a single in the sixth inning after Matthews entered the game as a pinch-runner and Lyssenko belted a double to right center.

Colyer and Andrew Thomas each connected on a solo homer during the seventh inning, as the Boxers increased their lead to 8-0. In the ninth inning, Matthews walked with one out and Damon Tanner doubled with two outs to put runners at first and third. After Tokishi walked to load the bases, Tyler Quinn was hit by a pitch to bring home Matthews and Ty Yukumoto walked to send Tanner across the plate.

Willamette's half of the ninth inning began with a walk issued to Jeff Hoffman (Jr., 3B, Salida, CA/Joseph A. Grigori HS). Hoffman reached second base when Ethan Fischel (Grad., SS, Eureka, CA/Eureka HS) grounded out to the pitcher. Jackson Garrett (Jr., UT, Carlsbad, CA/Carlsbad HS/Palomar College) was hit by a pitch and Carl Lawson (Jr., RF, Whittier, CA/Lutheran HS/Cal Poly Pomona) walked. With the bases loaded, Charlie Ferbet (So., INF, St. Louis, MO/De Smet Jesuit HS) pinch-hit and sent a sacrifice fly into right field, allowing Hoffman to cross the plate.

The Bearcats three hits during the game were singles by Layton Wagner (Sr., RHP/INF, Boise, ID/Timberline HS) in the second inning, Drew Baskin (So., 2B, Eagle, ID/Arroyo Grande HS) in the eighth, and Jonny Suchor (Jr., INF, Boulder, CO/Boulder HS) as a pinch-hitter in the ninth. Hoffman, Lawson, and Ferbet each walked once. Suchor leads Willamette with a .375 batting average this season.

Colyer topped the Pacific offensive chart on Sunday by going 3 for 6 at the plate. He hit two homers, scored two runs, and earned four RBIs. Quinn, Thomas, Lyssenko, and Tanner each registered two hits for the Boxers.

Pacific starting pitcher Will Clark improved to 2-1 with the win. He threw seven innings and held Willamette to no runs and one hit. He struck out eight Bearcats and allowed just one walk. WU starter EJ McGrew fell to 0-1 after allowing for hits and three runs in 4 2/3 innings. McGrew struck out three batters and walked three batters.

Willamette will travel to Thousand Oaks, California, next weekend to take on California Lutheran University in a three-game series. The teams will play two games on Saturday, Feb. 25, starting at 11 a.m. (PST) and will complete the series with one game on Sunday, Feb. 26 at 1 p.m.