Bearcats Claw Back with 5-Run 7th Inning in 10-5 Victory over Linfield

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- The Willamette University Bearcats plated five runs in the seventh inning to rally from a 5-3 deficit on their way to a 10-5 win over Linfield University in a non-conference baseball game on Wednesday, May 22. After taking a 8-5 lead in the seventh, Willamette added a two-run homer by Drew Baskin (So., 2B, Eagle, ID/Arroyo Grande HS) in the eighth inning. Pruitt Spritzer (Sr., RHP, Missouri City, TX/Strake Jesuit College Prep), now 4-0, tossed the final three innings to earn the pitching victory for the Bearcats.

Willamette improved to 12-7 with the win at John Lewis Field. Linfield slipped to 9-12 overall. The Bearcats will host Whitworth University in a three-game Northwest Conference series this weekend, with a doubleheader on Saturday, March 25 and a single game on Sunday, March 26. The action will get underway at 12 p.m. (PDT) each day.

Baskin, who finished 3 of 4 with three runs and three RBIs, played a key role in both of Willamette's early runs as the Bearcats took a 2-0 lead. He was hit by a pitch to open the bottom of the first inning, went to second on a wild pickoff throw, reached third on a groundout, and scored on a single to center by Layton Wagner (Sr., RHP/INF, Boise, ID/Timberline HS). In the second inning, he belted a triple into the right field corner, scoring Adam Birt (Fy., INF, Fremont, CA/Washington HS) from second base. Birt started the second inning with a double.

Linfield scored four runs in the fourth inning to claim a 4-2 lead. The Wildcats earned four hits -- all RBI singles -- during the inning to go along with two walks and one hit batsman.

Willamette pulled within 4-3 in the bottom of the sixth when Birt drove in Jonny Suchor (Sr., OF, Boulder, CO/Boulder HS) with a double down the left field line. Linfield regained a two-run lead at 5-3 in the top of the seventh. Two walks and an infield single loaded the bases. Jake Hoskins scored when Nick Holm hit into a 4-6-3 double play.

In the bottom of the seventh, Willamette sent nine batters to the plate and registered five hits and five runs for an 8-5 lead. Ethan Dunnam (Sr., C, El Cajon, CA/Valhalla HS) doubled to right center and Baskin singled to left center to start the frame. One out later, Ethan Fischel (Grad., SS, Eureka, CA/Eureka HS) pinch-hit and drove in Dunnam with a groundout to third base.

After Suchor was hit by a pitch, Luke Werkmeister-Martin (Sr., 1B, Louisville, CO/Monarch HS) singled to center field as Baskin scored. Nick Arnett (Fy., INF, Placerville, CA/Ponderosa HS) followed with an RBI single to right field, bringing home Suchor. Werkmeister-Martin also scored on the play as the throw from right field was wide of third base. Birt added an RBI single.

Baskin's homer over the left field fence in the eighth inning completed the scoring. Dunnam, who started the inning with a walk, also scored on the play.

Each team used seven pitchers during the mid-week game. Spritzer registered the win with his strong three innings of relief. He allowed no hits and no runs, although an inherited runner scored on double play. For Linfield, reliever Jackson Koons fell to 1-3 with the loss.

Baskin's performance led the Bearcats on offense. Brit also went 3 for 4, while scoring a run, hitting two doubles, and earning two RBIs. The Bearcats outhit Linfield 12-8 overall. Trent Wainfield was 3 of 4 with an RBI for the Wildcats.