Bearcats Sweep Pioneers, 10-0 and 7-1, in NWC Softball

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

PORTLAND, ORE. -- Willamette University received two solid pitching performances and pounded out a total of six home runs, as the Bearcats swept a doubleheader from Lewis & Clark College on Saturday, March 17 at the Huston Sports Complex. The Bearcats won the first game, 10-0, on the run rule in five innings, and triumphed in the second game, 7-1.

Willamette moved to 9-8 overall, while improving to 8-4 in the Northwest Conference. Lewis & Clark dropped to 0-14 on the season, 0-11 in the NWC.

In the first game, Alex Watilo (Sr., RHP, Newcastle, CA/Del Oro HS) of Willamette pitched a 5-inning one-hitter with three strikeouts. Yvonne Drabin (Sr., CF, Freemont, CA/Moreau Catholic HS) and Theresa Martin (Fr., 3B, Modesto, CA/Johansen HS) each hit a homer in the run-rule win.

In the second game Hayley Glantz (Fr., RHP, Reno, NV/Robert McQueen HS) pitched a complete-game 8-hitter. Heather Winslow (Fr., 1B, Oregon City, OR/Oregon City HS) led the Bearcats by hitting three home runs during the game while recording five RBIs. Erin Norris (Fr., 3B, Salem, OR/South Salem HS) also homered for WU.

Watilo kept the Pioneers off the scoreboard in Game #1 with a solid performance. The only hit for Lewis & Clark was earned shortstop Caroline DeVincenzi, who doubled toward the left field corner with two outs in the fourth inning. Watilo got Moriah Lane to hit a groundout to third base to end the inning.

DeVincenzi was L&C's only runner during the game, as the Bearcats did not commit an error and Watilo allowed no walks.

The Bearcats built a 3-0 lead in the first inning. Jessica Barry (Sr., LF, Cupertino, CA/Monte Vista HS/UNLV) walked an stole second to start the game. One out later, Barry scored when Winslow reached base on an error by the first baseman. Winslow advanced to second when the Pioneers tried to throw Barry out at the plate. Theresa Martin (Fr., 3B, Modesto, CA/Johansen HS) smacked a two-run homer.

WU added two runs in the third stanza and five more in the fourth to take control of the game.

In the third, Martin doubled with two outs. Kelli Snyder (Jr., DP/C, Longview, WA/Kelso HS) hit an RBI single and went to second on the throw home. Hope Kloczko (Jr., C, Cameron Park, CA/Oak Ridge HS) walked and Snyder stole third on the play. An error allowed Snyder to score, while Kloczko went to second base. A strikeout earned by L&C pitcher Natalie Rose ended the inning.

Barry hit an RBI single in the fourth inning to drive in Nichole Robertson (Sr., RF, Elk Grove, CA/Franklin HS/Cosumnes River Coll.) with the first of Willamette's five runs during the stanza. Drabin belted a two-run homer to increase Willamette's lead to 8-0. The next run scored on a wild pitch and the final run of the inning came home on a passed ball.

Martin was 3 for 3 during the game with three runs and two RBIs. She hit for three-fourth of the cycle, missing only a triple. Snyder and Barry each finished 1 for 2 with two runs scored and an RBI.

Willamette plated two runs in the first inning of the second game. Suzannah Von Trapp (Sr., CF/3B, Salem, OR/South Salem HS) singled to second base with one out. She scored when Winslow followed with the first of her three home runs.

L&C earned three hits in the bottom of the inning, but was unable to score. Kelsey Buck sent a leadoff single toward third base. She was thrown out trying to steal second with Taylor Gatti at the plate. Gatti grounded out and DeVincenzi produced a bunt single. Lane was credited with another single on the next play, but the inning ended because DeVincenzi was called out for runner's interference.

Norris' solo home gave WU a 3-0 lead in the second inning. Both teams left two runners on base during the third stanza.

The Pioneers recorded their only run of the afternoon in the bottom of the fourth. Lane single up the middle to start the at bat. She went to second on a wild pitch, before being replaced by pinch runner Sarah Breninger. A single to shortstop by Caitlin McCormick moved Breninger to third. Breninger scored on a groundout to second by Amanda Rabith. Another groundout and a strikeout kept WU's lead at 3-1.

Winslow connected for her second home run in the fifth inning and added her third homer in the sixth. In the fifth, her solo shot gave the Bearcats a 4-1. Martin scored on a double by Kloczko later in the inning. In the sixth, Winslow's two-run homer also drove in Von Trapp.

Winslow was 3 for 4 during the game with three runs and five RBIs. Martin went 2 for 3 with a walk and a run, while Von Trapp finished 2 for 4 an scored twice. Lane and McCormick each went 2 for 3 for L&C.

The Bearcats are scheduled to play at home on Sunday, March 18 in a doubleheader at the WU Softball Field versus Pacific University. First pitch is set for 12 p.m. (PDT).