Pioneers Down Bearcats, 8-1, in Northwest Conference Action

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, ORE. -- Lewis & Clark College won two of three doubles matches and swept the singles matches to defeat Willamette University, 8-1, in Northwest Conference men's tennis action on Sunday, March 1 at the WU Tennis Courts.

The Pioneers improved to 4-1 overall and to 4-0 in the Northwest Conference. Willamette dropped to 0-2 on the season, 0-1 in the NWC.

Willamette earned its only win at #1 doubles, where Gunnar Lee (Jr., Hilo, HI/St. Joseph HS) and Jacob Blaisdell (Fr., Honolulu, HI/Punahou School) combined to outscore Morgan Joyce and Gordon Barrows, 8-4.

L&C took a 2-1 lead out of the doubled competition by winning at the #2 and #3 positions.

In #2 doubles, the Pioneers' team of Michael Brewer and Kevin Ross defeated Sam Wexman (Jr., Tiburon, CA/Tamiscal HS) and Blake Brash (Jr., Boise, ID/Boise HS), 8-2. Harrison Collins and Daniel Hahm of L&C won #3 doubles, 8-0, against Jesse Mackinney (Fr., Arcata, CA/Northcoast Prep. & Performing Arts Acad.) and Samuel Rowe (Fr., Andover, MA/Andover HS).

Brewer defeated Wexman in the top singles match, 6-2, 6-0. Ross needed a tie-breaker in the first set on his way to a 7-6 (7-4), 6-2 win against Jack Schreiber (Sr., Solana Beach, CA/The Grauer School) at #2 singles.

The #3 singles match was decided with a super tie-breaker played instead of a third set. Joyce outlasted Lee to win the match, 2-6, 6-4, 10-8. The #4 singles match also was competitive, with Hahm of L&C downing Blake Brash (Jr., Boise, ID/Boise HS), 6-4, 6-3.

Willamette will remain at home for its next two matches. The Bearcats will take on University of Puget Sound on Friday, March 6 at 4 p.m. (PST) and will host Pacific Lutheran University on Saturday, March 7 at 1 p.m.