https://www.wubearcats.com en-us https://www.wubearcats.com/sports/sball/2008-09/releases/franchi_receives_third_team_allamerica_honors_from_nfca.html SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University senior softball player Nikki Franchi (RHP/DP, Los Gatos, CA/Saratoga HS) has been named Third Team All-America for NCAA Division III, as selected by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA). It is Franchi's second consecutive year on the All-America Team. She was chosen First Team All-America in 2008. Tue, 19 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT https://www.wubearcats.com/sports/sball/2008-09/releases/franchi_receives_third_team_allamerica_honors_from_nfca.html https://www.wubearcats.com/sports/sball/2008-09/releases/franchi_repeats_as_first_team_all_west_region_selection.html SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University softball standout Nikki Franchi (Sr,. RHP/DP, Los Gatos, CA/Saratoga HS) has been chosen First Team All-West Region for the second year in a row. Franchi, who led the Bearcats to a 29-6 overall record, was one of 15 athletes selected for the First Team by members of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA). Fri, 15 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT https://www.wubearcats.com/sports/sball/2008-09/releases/franchi_repeats_as_first_team_all_west_region_selection.html https://www.wubearcats.com/sports/sball/2008-09/releases/four_willamette_softball_player_are_named_first_team_allnwc.html SALEM, ORE. -- Four members of the Willamette University softball team have been chosen First Team All-Northwest Conference for the 2009 season, in voting by the NWC head coaches. Three additional Bearcats were named Second Team All-NWC following Willamette's successful 29-6 season. Willamette, ranked #21 in NCAA Division III, finished second in the NWC with a 22-6 conference record. Fri, 08 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT https://www.wubearcats.com/sports/sball/2008-09/releases/four_willamette_softball_player_are_named_first_team_allnwc.html https://www.wubearcats.com/sports/sball/2008-09/releases/willamette_is_ranked_21_in_ncaa_division_iii_softball_top_25.html SALEM, ORE. -- The Willamette University softball team is ranked #21 in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division III Top 25 released on Wednesday, May 6. The Bearcats concluded the season with a 29-6 overall record and finished second in the Northwest Conference with a 22-6 mark. Thu, 07 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT https://www.wubearcats.com/sports/sball/2008-09/releases/willamette_is_ranked_21_in_ncaa_division_iii_softball_top_25.html https://www.wubearcats.com/sports/sball/2008-09/releases/bearcats_are_ranked_15_in_ncaa_division_iii_softball_poll.html SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University is tied for #15 in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division III Top 25 released on Wednesday, April 22. The Bearcats finished the regular season with a 29-6 overall record, including 22-6 in the Northwest Conference. Wed, 29 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT https://www.wubearcats.com/sports/sball/2008-09/releases/bearcats_are_ranked_15_in_ncaa_division_iii_softball_poll.html https://www.wubearcats.com/sports/sball/2008-09/releases/franchis_homer_in_seventh_inning_gives_wu_20_win_over_linfie.html McMINNVILLE, ORE. -- Senior Nikki Franchi (RHP/DP, Los Gatos, CA/Saratoga HS) blasted a two-run homer in the top of the seventh inning to break a scoreless tie and send Willamette University to a 2-0 victory over Linfield College in the first game of a doubleheader on Sunday, April 26. Franchi also threw a complete-game and allowed just one hit in the opener. Linfield rallied from a 3-0 deficit in the second game to defeat the Bearcats, 5-3, and split the twinbill. Sun, 26 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT https://www.wubearcats.com/sports/sball/2008-09/releases/franchis_homer_in_seventh_inning_gives_wu_20_win_over_linfie.html https://www.wubearcats.com/sports/sball/2008-09/releases/linfield_sweeps_doubleheader_from_bearcats.html SALEM, ORE. -- Linfield College, ranked #2 in NCAA Division III, defeated 10th-ranked Willamette University in both games of a Northwest Conference doubleheader, winning 3-0 and 13-5 at the WU Softball Field on Saturday, April 25. Linfield improved to 35-3 overall, 25-1 in the NWC. The Bearcats dropped to 28-5 on the season, 21-5 in the NWC. Sat, 25 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT https://www.wubearcats.com/sports/sball/2008-09/releases/linfield_sweeps_doubleheader_from_bearcats.html https://www.wubearcats.com/sports/sball/2008-09/releases/willamette_is_10_in_ncaa_division_iii_softball_poll.html SALEM, ORE. -- The Willamette University softball team is ranked #10 this week in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division III Top 25 Poll released on Wednesday, April 22. Willamette will close out the regular season with a four-game Northwest Conference series against Linfield College, which is ranked #2 in this week's poll. Wed, 22 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT https://www.wubearcats.com/sports/sball/2008-09/releases/willamette_is_10_in_ncaa_division_iii_softball_poll.html https://www.wubearcats.com/sports/sball/2008-09/releases/franchi_strikes_out_13_batters_as_bearcats_defeat_whitworth.html SPOKANE, WASH. -- Willamette University senior pitcher Nikki Franchi (RHP, Los Gatos, CA/Saratoga HS) threw a complete-game two-hitter and struck out 13 batters, leading the Bearcats to a 5-0 victory over Whitworth University in the first game of a doubleheader on Sunday, April 19. In the second game, Willamette shortstop Mica Romero (Fr., Woodland, CA/Woodland Christian HS) belted a pair of three-run homers, as the Bearcats won 8-0. Sun, 19 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT https://www.wubearcats.com/sports/sball/2008-09/releases/franchi_strikes_out_13_batters_as_bearcats_defeat_whitworth.html https://www.wubearcats.com/sports/sball/2008-09/releases/bearcats_pull_away_from_pirates_in_first_game_130.html SPOKANE, WASH. -- The Willamette University softball team led 3-0 after five innings, then pulled away to rout Whitworth University, 13-0, in the first game of a Northwest Conference doubleheader on Saturday, April 18. Whitworth won the second game, 1-0, behind a one-hitter from pitcher Jessica Mangis. Sat, 18 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT https://www.wubearcats.com/sports/sball/2008-09/releases/bearcats_pull_away_from_pirates_in_first_game_130.html https://www.wubearcats.com/sports/sball/2008-09/releases/willamette_is_ranked_7_in_ncaa_division_iii_softball_poll.html SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University has moved up four positions in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division III Top 25 Poll released on Wednesday, April 15. Willamette is 25-2 on the season, including 18-2 in the Northwest Conference. The Bearcats were ranked #11 a week ago. Wed, 15 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT https://www.wubearcats.com/sports/sball/2008-09/releases/willamette_is_ranked_7_in_ncaa_division_iii_softball_poll.html https://www.wubearcats.com/sports/sball/2008-09/releases/willamette_sweeps_lutes_in_softball_20_and_83.html SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University pitcher Nikki Franchi (Sr., Los Gatos, CA/Saratoga HS) limited Pacific Lutheran University to three hits, as the Bearcats defeated the Lutes, 2-0, to start a Northwest Conference doubleheader at the WU Softball Field on Saturday, April 11. Willamette produced 13 hits in the second game to completed the sweep with an 8-3 victory. Sat, 11 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT https://www.wubearcats.com/sports/sball/2008-09/releases/willamette_sweeps_lutes_in_softball_20_and_83.html https://www.wubearcats.com/sports/sball/2008-09/releases/bearcats_ranked_11_defeat_puget_sound_in_doubleheader_31_and.html SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University, ranked #11 in NCAA Division III, won a pair of close Northwest Conference games with strong pitching and timely hitting, as the Bearcats defeated the University of Puget Sound, 3-1 and 3-2, on Friday, April 10 at the WU Softball Field. Willamette upped its record to 23-2 overall, 16-2 in the NWC. The Loggers fell to 10-19 on the season, 4-12 in the conference. Fri, 10 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT https://www.wubearcats.com/sports/sball/2008-09/releases/bearcats_ranked_11_defeat_puget_sound_in_doubleheader_31_and.html https://www.wubearcats.com/sports/sball/2008-09/releases/softball_doubleheaders_with_ups_and_plu_will_be_webcast.html SALEM, ORE. -- Action from the Willamette University softball doubleheaders on Friday, April 10 and Saturday, April 11 will be webcast by Full Access Sports. Willamette enters the weekend ranked #11 in NCAA Division III with a 21-2 overall record, including 14-2 in the Northwest Conference. Fri, 10 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT https://www.wubearcats.com/sports/sball/2008-09/releases/softball_doubleheaders_with_ups_and_plu_will_be_webcast.html https://www.wubearcats.com/sports/sball/2008-09/releases/two_nohitters_help_franchi_claim_nwc_studentathlete_recognti.html SALEM, ORE. -- Nikki Franchi (Sr., RHP, Los Gatos, CA/Saratoga HS) threw two no-hitters in three appearances last week. She was 3-0 and struck out 28 batters in 18 innings. Her efforts have earned her Northwest Conference Softball Pitcher Student-Athlete of the Week recognition for the third week in a row. Wed, 08 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT https://www.wubearcats.com/sports/sball/2008-09/releases/two_nohitters_help_franchi_claim_nwc_studentathlete_recognti.html https://www.wubearcats.com/sports/sball/2008-09/releases/franchi_throws_nohitter_as_bearcats_sweep_george_fox_80_and.html SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University pitcher Nikki Franchi (Sr., RHP, Los Gatos, CA/Saratoga HS) threw a no-hitter in the first game to start a doubleheader sweep by the Bearcats over George Fox University, 8-0 and 10-0 on Sunday, April 5 at the WU Softball Field. Both games ended on the run rule in five innings. Sun, 05 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT https://www.wubearcats.com/sports/sball/2008-09/releases/franchi_throws_nohitter_as_bearcats_sweep_george_fox_80_and.html https://www.wubearcats.com/sports/sball/2008-09/releases/willamette_sweeps_pioneers_in_nwc_doubleheader_51_and_60.html PORTLAND, ORE. -- Willamette University's pitching tandem of senior Nikki Franchi (RHP, Los Gatos, CA/Saratoga HS) and freshman Alex Watilo (RHP, Newcastle, CADel Oro HS) limited Lewis & Clark College to just one run in 14 innings on Saturday, April 4, as the Bearcats swept a doubleheader from the Pioneers, 5-1 and 6-0. Sat, 04 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT https://www.wubearcats.com/sports/sball/2008-09/releases/willamette_sweeps_pioneers_in_nwc_doubleheader_51_and_60.html https://www.wubearcats.com/sports/sball/2008-09/releases/willamette_wins_two_games_against_lewis_clark_on_run_rule.html SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University, ranked #10 in NCAA Division III, won a pair of Northwest Conference games against Lewis & Clark College on the run rule, 8-0 and 12-0, Wednesday, April 1 at the WU Softball Field. The Bearcats moved to 17-2 on the season, 10-2 in the NWC. The first game ended in the sixth inning and the second game went five innings. Wed, 01 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT https://www.wubearcats.com/sports/sball/2008-09/releases/willamette_wins_two_games_against_lewis_clark_on_run_rule.html https://www.wubearcats.com/sports/sball/2008-09/releases/franchi_repeats_as_nwc_studentathlete_of_the_week.html SALEM, ORE. -- Nikki Franchi (Sr., RHP/DP, Los Gatos, CA/Saratoga HS) of Willamette University has been named Northwest Conference Softball Pitcher Student-Athlete of the Week for the second week in a row. Franchi went 4-0 in games played between March 23 and March 29, while achieving an earned run average of 0.81 and striking out 41 batters in 26 innings. Tue, 31 Mar 2009 04:00:00 GMT https://www.wubearcats.com/sports/sball/2008-09/releases/franchi_repeats_as_nwc_studentathlete_of_the_week.html https://www.wubearcats.com/sports/sball/2008-09/releases/willamette_doubleheader_with_lewis_clark_will_start_at_330_p.html SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University and Lewis & Clark College will play a doubleheader of softball games on Wednesday, April 1 at the WU Softball Field, starting at 3:30 p.m. (PDT). The games were originally scheduled for March 14, but were rained out. The teams chose April 1 as the make-up day, but planned to start earlier in the afternoon. The most recent change resulted in the new 3:30 p.m. start time. Tue, 31 Mar 2009 04:00:00 GMT https://www.wubearcats.com/sports/sball/2008-09/releases/willamette_doubleheader_with_lewis_clark_will_start_at_330_p.html https://www.wubearcats.com/sports/sball/2008-09/releases/bearcats_and_lutes_split_nwc_doubleheader.html TACOMA, WASH. -- Willamette University and Pacific Lutheran University split a Northwest Conference softball doubleheader on Sunday, March 29 at the PLU Field. The Bearcats won the first game, 14-2, on the run rule in five innings. The Lutes took the second game, 3-2. Sun, 29 Mar 2009 04:00:00 GMT https://www.wubearcats.com/sports/sball/2008-09/releases/bearcats_and_lutes_split_nwc_doubleheader.html https://www.wubearcats.com/sports/sball/2008-09/releases/franchi_strikes_out_10_loggers_in_40_win_over_puget_sound.html TACOMA, WASH. -- Senior pitcher Nikki Franchi (RHP, Los Gatos, CA/Saratoga HS) struck out 10 batters and Talissa Huntsman (Fr., 1B, Richland, WA/Richland HS) hit her first college home run, as Willamette University defeated the University of Puget Sound, 4-0, in the first game of a doubleheader on Friday, March 26. Willamette won the second game, 5-0. Fri, 27 Mar 2009 04:00:00 GMT https://www.wubearcats.com/sports/sball/2008-09/releases/franchi_strikes_out_10_loggers_in_40_win_over_puget_sound.html https://www.wubearcats.com/sports/sball/2008-09/releases/softball_games_at_puget_sound_will_be_played_a_day_early_on.html SALEM, ORE. -- The Willamette University softball team, ranked #7 in NCAA Division III, will play the University of Puget Sound on Friday, March 27 in Tacoma, Wash., one day earlier than originally scheduled. In an effort to avoid a rainout on Saturday, the teams will play a doubleheader on Friday, with the first game set to start at 3:30 p.m. (PDT). Thu, 26 Mar 2009 04:00:00 GMT https://www.wubearcats.com/sports/sball/2008-09/releases/softball_games_at_puget_sound_will_be_played_a_day_early_on.html https://www.wubearcats.com/sports/sball/2008-09/releases/bearcats_advance_to_7_in_nfca_division_iii_top_25_poll.html SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University moved up one spot to #7 in the nation in this week's National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division III Top 25 Poll, release on March 25. Willamette, 10-1 before voting by the panel of coaches, is now 12-1 after sweeping a doubleheader from Southern Oregon University on March 24. Wed, 25 Mar 2009 04:00:00 GMT https://www.wubearcats.com/sports/sball/2008-09/releases/bearcats_advance_to_7_in_nfca_division_iii_top_25_poll.html https://www.wubearcats.com/sports/sball/2008-09/releases/franchi_earns_nwc_studentathlete_of_the_week_award.html SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University senior pitcher Nikki Franchi (RHP, Los Gatos, CA/Saratoga HS) has been named NWC Softball Pitcher Student-Athlete of the Week for the week ending March 22. Franchi went 2-0 during the week with a 0.00 earned run average and 24 strikeouts in 12 innings pitched. Wed, 25 Mar 2009 04:00:00 GMT https://www.wubearcats.com/sports/sball/2008-09/releases/franchi_earns_nwc_studentathlete_of_the_week_award.html https://www.wubearcats.com/sports/sball/2008-09/releases/willamette_sweeps_southern_oregon_31_and_122.html ASHLAND, ORE. -- Willamette University won a pair of non-conference games against Southern Oregon University on Tuesday, March 24, as the Bearcats defeated the Raiders, 3-1 and 12-2 at University Field. The Bearcats, ranked #8 in NCAA Division III, have won eight games in a row and are 12-1 on the season. Southern Oregon is 2-9 overall. Tue, 24 Mar 2009 04:00:00 GMT https://www.wubearcats.com/sports/sball/2008-09/releases/willamette_sweeps_southern_oregon_31_and_122.html https://www.wubearcats.com/sports/sball/2008-09/releases/bearcats_shut_down_oregon_tech_40_as_franchi_strikes_out_11.html REDDING, CALIF. -- Willamette University received a strong pitching and hitting performance from senior Nikki Franchi (RHP, Los Gatos, CA/Saratoga HS), as she led the Bearcats to a 4-0 shutout of the Oregon Institute of Technology on Monday, March 23 at Simpson University. Franchi allowed just two hits and struck out 11 batters. She also went 3 for 4 at the plate with one run and one RBI. Mon, 23 Mar 2009 04:00:00 GMT https://www.wubearcats.com/sports/sball/2008-09/releases/bearcats_shut_down_oregon_tech_40_as_franchi_strikes_out_11.html https://www.wubearcats.com/sports/sball/2008-09/releases/krewer_and_wallace_hit_homers_as_wu_defeats_dominican_90.html REDDING, CALIF. -- Willamette University, ranked #8 in NCAA Division III, opened Spring Break with a 9-0 victory over Dominican University (Calif.) on the run rule six innings, Sunday, March 22 at Simpson University. The Bearcats improved to 8-1 on the season. Dominican dropped to 3-16. Sun, 22 Mar 2009 04:00:00 GMT https://www.wubearcats.com/sports/sball/2008-09/releases/krewer_and_wallace_hit_homers_as_wu_defeats_dominican_90.html https://www.wubearcats.com/sports/sball/2008-09/releases/watilo_throws_a_shutout_in_30_victory_over_oregon_tech.html REDDING, CALIF. -- Freshman pitcher Alex Watilo (RHP, Newcastle, CA/Del Oro HS) threw a four-hitter with four strikeouts to lead Willamette University to a 3-0 victory over the Oregon Institute of Technology on Sunday, March 22 at Simpson University. WU, ranked #8 in NCAA Division III, went to 9-1 on the season. Oregon Tech saw its record fall to 6-6. Sun, 22 Mar 2009 04:00:00 GMT https://www.wubearcats.com/sports/sball/2008-09/releases/watilo_throws_a_shutout_in_30_victory_over_oregon_tech.html https://www.wubearcats.com/sports/sball/2008-09/releases/bearcats_sweep_nwc_doubleheader_at_george_fox_132_and_40.html NEWBERG, ORE. -- Willamette University, ranked #8 in NCAA Division III, swept a Northwest Conference doubleheader from George Fox University, 13-2 and 4-0, on Thursday, March 19 at Morse Field. The first game ended on the run rule in six innings. Thu, 19 Mar 2009 04:00:00 GMT https://www.wubearcats.com/sports/sball/2008-09/releases/bearcats_sweep_nwc_doubleheader_at_george_fox_132_and_40.html