Bearcats Sweep Softball Doubleheader from Pioneers, 13-5 and 12-5

PORTLAND, ORE. -- Willamette University, ranked #18 in NCAA Division III, swept a Northwest Conference doubleheader from Lewis & Clark College on Saturday, March 27 at the Huston Sports Complex. Willamette won 13-5 in the first game and 12-5 in the second game.

The wins improved Willamette's overall record to 17-5, including 9-1 in the NWC. Lewis & Clark fell to 3-18 overall, 0-10 in the NWC.

Alex Watilo (So., P, Newcastle, CA/Del Oro HS) moved her season record to 6-2 with a complete-game victory over the Pioneers. Watilo allowed ten hits and five runs in seven innings of work while striking out three.

Kristen Breninger took the loss in the circle for the Pios. Breninger pitched four innings, allowing eight hits and seven runs, six of them earned.

The Bearcats scored at least one run in five of the seven innings of play. Willamette opened the game with five runs in the top of the first, setting the tone for the rest of the doubleheader.

Mica Romero (So., SS, Woodland, CA/Woodland Christian HS) and Nicole Wallace (Sr., 2B, Roseville, CA/Roseville HS) each hit a home run in the game. For Romero, it was her third HR of the season. It was Wallace's first home run of the season and the eighth of her career.

Wallace finished the game with two runs and two RBIs. Nichole Robertson (So., OF, Elk Grove, CA/Cosumnes River College) had two hits, three runs, one RBI and two stolen bases. Bri Compton (Jr., P, Kalispell, MT/Wenatchee CC), Jessica Barry (So., OF, Cupertino, CA/Monte Vista HS) and Sierra Lessel (So., OF, Eugene, OR/Churchill HS) each had two hits apiece.

In the second game, Compton picked up her eighth win of the season to move to 8-0. Compton pitched a complete game, allowing seven hits and five runs, none of them earned.

Freshman Kelli Snyder (C, Longview, WA/Kelso HS) finished the game with an impressive set of numbers. Snyder was 3 for 4 with three runs and three stolen bases.

Lessel set the tone for the Bearcats, going 3 for 4 in the leadoff spot. The sophomore had two RBIs and two runs. Another sophomore, Talissa Huntsman (Util., Richland, WA/Richland HS) had three hits, including a home run. She finished the game with two RBIs.

The Bearcats scored at least one run in each of the first three innings and then added six runs in the fifth inning to put the Pioneers away.

The Bearcats and the Pioneers will conclude the four-game series with a doubleheader at Lewis & Clark on Sunday, March 28. Action is set to get underway at 12 p.m. (PDT).