Lau Leads Bearcats in Hits, Runs, and RBIs in Non-Conference Loss to Linfield

Keizer, Ore. - Willamette Baseball got off to a strong start in a non-conference matchup with Linfield University on Wednesday night, but the Wildcats scored thirteen unanswered runs and defeated the Bearcats 16-11 at Volcanoes Stadium.  Preston Lau had a big night at the plate for the Bearcats with three hits, two runs batted in, and three runs scored.

The Bearcats struck early in the first as Lau walked to lead off the inning and came home on a double by Tassos Foster.  A single by Rocco Granucci moved Foster to third and a Charlie Ferbet single brought Foster home to make the score 2-0.  

After Linfield tied the game in the top of the second, Willamette responded with three runs on an RBI double by Lau, a run-scoring single by Granucci, and a double-steal that allowed Foster to score his second run in as many innings to give the Bearcats a 5-2 lead.

After another Wildcat run in the top of the fourth, the Bearcats responded again as Trevor Sostman brought home Foster and Lau on a double to deep right centerfield.  Unfortunately for Willamette, those were the last runs they scored until the bottom of the ninth, while Linfield scored four runs in the fifth, three in the sixth, and crossed the plate six times in the seventh inning to take a 16-7 lead.

Less than a week after a ninth-inning comeback against Whitman, the Bearcats put up a fight in the ninth, but came up short.  An RBI single by Drew Baskin brought home the first run, with a Joshua Murphy sac fly making the score 16-9.  After Willamette loaded the bases again, Beckett Montgomery scored when Adam Birt was hit by a pitch, and Baskin scored on a single by Lau before Foster flied out to center to end the threat and the game.  

Rocco Granucci had two hits for Willamette and a stolen base.  Tassos Foster scored three runs to tie Lau for the team lead and also stole two bases.  Trevor Sostman had two runs batted in on a fourth-inning double.  Dari Liuzzi pitched the final two innings for Willamette and didn't give up a run, allowing only one baserunner and striking out two.

Willamette returns to Northwest Conference play this weekend when they travel to take on the University of Puget Sound.  They will play a single game on Friday, April 18th, and a doubleheader on Saturday, April 19th.