Hoffman Belts 7th Homer, Baskin also Hits a Homer, but Loggers Win 6-4 and 3-1

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

TACOMA, Wash. -- Jeff Hoffman (Jr., 3B, Salida, CA/Joseph A. Grigori HS) smacked his seventh home run of the year for Willamette University in the first game, and Drew Baskin (So., 2B, Eagle, ID/Arroyo Grande HS) belted a homer in the second game, but the University of Puget Sound won both games of the doubleheader 6-4 and 3-1 on Saturday, March 18. Hoffman now has 28 career home runs and is alone in fourth place on the Bearcats' all-time list, one home run behind Connor Bailey ('19, MBA/MS '22), who is third with 29 homers.

In the first game, Puget Sound scored four runs in the first inning and the Bearcats had to battle from behind throughout the contest. WU pulled within 4-2 in the fifth inning, but the Loggers added two runs in the bottom of the sixth. The Bearcats scored two runs in the seventh inning to cut the margin to 6-4, but couldn't complete the rally.

During the second game, PS pitcher Brett Harvey, 4-0, gave up just one run and five hits -- including Baskin's solo homer -- in eight innings to win the pitchers' duel. Dylan Joyce tossed the ninth inning to earn his fifth save. Willamette starter EJ McGrew (Fy., LHP, Oakland, CA/St. Mary's College Prep) went 5 2/3 innings and allowed three runs and five hits, while falling to 2-2. Logan Haslam (Jr., RHP, San Ramon, CA/California HS) tossed 2 1/3 innings while striking out two batters and allowing no runs and two hits.

Willamette ended the day at 11-6 overall, 7-4 in the Northwest Conference. Puget Sound improved to 13-7, including 7-6 in the NWC. The Bearcats and the Loggers will complete the series with a game on Sunday, March 19, starting at 12 p.m. (PDT).

Hoffman Goes 2 of 4 with a Home Run in Game 1

For the Bearcats in the opener, Hoffman was 2 of 4 with his homer and two runs scored. Baskin was 2 of 4 with a triple, one run scored, and two RBIs. Luke Werkmeister-Martin (Sr., 1B, Louisville, CO/Monarch HS) finished 2 of 5, while Rocco Granucci (So., OF, San Diego, CA/Scripps Ranch HS) was 1 of 4 with a double and an RBI.

Puget Sound took a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Drew Kamihara and Dylan Joyce singled to the outfield to start the frame and Makana Murashige followed with an infield single to load the bases. One out later, Gabe Huante singled to center to drive in Kamihara. A double by Jack McCullar cleared the bases.

The Bearcats scored one run in the fourth inning and one run in the fifth to reduce the lead to two runs. In the fourth, Baskin tripled with one out and scored on a sacrifice fly to center field by Grannuci. Hoffman blasted a solo home run in the fifth.

In the sixth inning, the Loggers tacked on two runs for a 6-2 advantage. Kamihara drove in the first run with a single to left field. An error at the end of the play allowed Kamihara to reach second base. Later, Kamihara scored an unearned run when Joyce singled to left. Willamette plated its final two runs in the top of the seventh. Hoffman, who walked with one out, and Ethan Fischel (Grad., SS, Eureka, CA/Eureka HS), who was hit by a pitch with two outs, both crossed the plate on a single by Baskin.

Kamihara was 3 for 5 with two runs and an RBI for Puget Sound, while Joyce went 3 for 5 with one run and one RBI. McCullar was 2 for 3 with three RBIs.

Werkmeister-Martin, Baskin Lead WU in Game 2

In the second game, Werkmeister-Martin went 2 for 3 and Baskin was 1 for 3 with his solo home run. Carl Lawson (Jr., RF, Whittier, CA/Lutheran HS/Cal Poly Pomona) went 1 for 4 with a double.

The game was scoreless until Baskin connected for a solo homer with two outs in the fourth inning to give Willamette a 1-0 lead. It was Baskin's first college home run. He also has hit four doubles and a triple this season.

WU remained in front until the bottom of the sixth, when Puget Sound scored three runs. With two outs, Cody Hirano and Kamihara each singled to third base. Joyce batted next and hit an RBI double to center field. Murashige added a two-run double, scoring Kamihara and Joyce. The Loggers maintained the 3-1 lead for the rest of the game.

Kamihara and Hirano each went 2 for 3 with a run scored for the Loggers. Murashige and Huante both hit a double.