Thames Hits 2-Run Homer, Scores from 2nd on Sacrifice Fly, in 12-3 Win

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Wyatt Thames (Jr., OF, Elk Grove, CA/Huntington Beach HS/Biola University) led the offensive for the Willamette University baseball team on Thursday, March 14, blasting a two-run homer in the third inning and scoring from second base on a sacrifice fly in the sixth, as the Bearcats downed Alfred State College (N.Y.), 12-3, at John Lewis Field. Thames was 2 for 3 with three runs and three RBIs. Adam Birt, who hit the sacrifice fly to deep center field to score Thames, finished 2 for 3 with a double, one run, and three RBIs.

Willamette upped its record to 11-2 after winning both games in the series with the Pioneers. The Bearcats defeated Alfred State 11-2 on Wednesday. ASC fell to 4-10 on the season.

Nate Schikore (Fy., RHP, Fairfield, CA/Angelo Rodriguez HS), the starting pitcher for Willamette, improved to 2-0 with the win. He threw five innings and allowed four hits and three runs -- one earned -- while recording two strikeouts and two walks.

Dylan Turner (So., RHP, Dallas, TX/Wilson HS) of WU relieved Schikore in the top of the sixth, and allowed three hits and no runs with two strikeouts in two innings. Matthew Mason (So., LHP, Redondo Beach, CA/Redondo Union HS) and Roman Mahler (Fy, LHP, Oak View, CA/Colfax HS) each tossed one scoreless inning without allowing a hit.

In addition to Thames and Birt, other top performers on offense for the Bearcats were Tassos Foster (Sr., 2B, Novato, CA/Novato HS) with three runs, Liam O'Connor (Fy., SS, Evergreen, CO/Conifer HS) with a double, an RBI and two runs scored, and Drew Baskin (Jr., SS, Eagle, ID/Arroyo Grande HS) with a two-RBI double and a run scored. Charlie Ferbet (Sr., INF, St. Louis, MO/De Smet Jesuit HS) hit an RBI double.

ASC starter Daniel Lewis fell to 1-0 with the loss, after allowing five runs -- four earned -- in 3 2/3 innings. He gave up four walks and recorded two strikeouts. On offense, Elijah Barinas led the Pioneers by going 3 for 3 with a run scored and a sacrifice bunt. Jack Curabba registered two RBIs, including a sacrifice fly.

Tyler Petery of Alfred State started the game with a single through the right side. He eventually went to third on the sacrifice bunt by Barinas and scored on a groundout by Curabba. WU tied the score at 1-1 in the bottom of the first when Tassos Foster (Sr., 2B, Novato, CA/Novato HS) walked, stole second and later scored on a two-out single by Birt.

The Pioneers edged into a 3-1 lead with one run in the second inning and another run in the third. Devin Mersman scored the run in the second inning on a single by Anthony Snyder. In the third Barinas hit an infield single, and advanced to third on a wild pick-off attempt. He scored on the sacrifice fly by Curabba.

When Thames hit his two-run homer with one out in the bottom of the third inning it tied the score at 3-3. Baskin, who walked to open the frame, also scored on the play.

The Bearcats followed up with two runs in the fourth, two runs in the fifth, and three runs in the sixth to surge into a 10-3 lead. During the fourth inning, Boone Rush (Sr., OF, Portland, OR/Grant HS/Linn-Benton CC) singled with one out and Foster singled with two outs, before Baskin smacked a two-out double down the left field line.

In the fifth, Thames was hit by a pitch as the leadoff batter. He stole second and then Birt hit an RBI double down the right field line. Ferbet also doubled to drive in Birt.

Willamette's three-run sixth inning included an RBI double down the left field line by O'Connor and an RBI single by Thames. The single by Thames was misplayed in left field, allowing him to advance to second. Bert batted next, and hit the ball to center field where it was caught at the fence by Devin Mersmann. Thames scored on the play, as he beat the relay throw to the plate. WU added two runs in the bottom of the eighth.

The Bearcats will be back in action on Saturday, March 16 when they host the University of Puget Sound in a doubleheader to open a Northwest Conference three-game series. First pitch is set for 12 p.m. PDT. The teams will conclude the series with a single game on Sunday, March 17 starting at 12 p.m.