Willamette Routs Pacific, 9-1 and 11-0

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

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University pitchers Alex Watilo (Sr., RHP, Newcastle, CA/Del Oro HS) and Hayley Glantz (Fr., RHP, Reno, NV/Robert McQueen HS) each threw a one-hitter, and the WU offense provided plenty of run support, as the Bearcats swept a doubleheader from Pacific University, 9-1 and 11-0 on Sunday, March 18 at the WU Softball Field. Both games ended in five innings on the run rule.

The Bearcats improved to 11-9 on the season, including 10-4 in the Northwest Conference. Pacific dropped to 8-16 overall, 6-10 in the NWC.

Theresa Martin (Fr., 3B, Modesto, CA/Johansen HS) belted a grand slam home run for WU in the second game and had a 3-run homer in the opener.

Chelsey Chamberlain of Pacific hit a solo home run in the first inning of the first game. The homer brought in the only run of the day for the Boxers, who went 1 for 16 at the plate in each game. Pacific's only other hit was a single by Kaitlyn Shikada in the third inning of the second game.

Pacific held a 1-0 lead after Chamberlain's homer in the opener, but Willamette surged into the lead with three runs in the second inning.

Three of Willamette's first four batters during the stanza were hit by pitches, which loaded the bases with one out. Yvonne Drabin (Jr., CF, Freemont, CA/Moreau Catholic HS) drove in two runs with a single, as Courtney Galli (So., 2B/SS, Rocklin, CA/Rocklin HS) and pinch-runner Carolyn Cava (Sr., OF, Salinas, CA/Robert L. Stevenson School) scored on the play.

With two outs, Nichole Robertson (Sr., RF, Elk Grove, CA/Franklin HS/Cosumnes river Coll.) crossed the plate when Suzannah Von Trapp (Sr., DP/3B, Salem, OR/South Salem HS) reached base on an error by the third baseman. WU took a 3-1 lead into the third inning.

Willamette padded its lead in the bottom of the fourth inning, as the Bearcats scored six runs on five hits. Drabin singled and eventually scored the first run on a sacrifice fly by Von Trapp.

The big hit of the inning was Martin's three-run homer, which began a string of three consecutive long-range shots by the Bearcats. Kelli Snyder followed with a homer to left field and then Galli smacked a homer to center field. After WU limited Pacific to just four batters in the top of the fifth inning the 9-1 score became final on the run rule.

Snyder and Drabin each went 2 for 2 in the first game. Galli scored two runs, while Drabin and Von Trapp registered two RBIs apiece.

Watilo threw all five innings and improved to 8-3 on the season. She struck out six batters and allowed two walks. Chamberlain pitched the first 2 2/3 innings and fell to 4-4 with the loss.

Three runs in the first inning and five more in the second gave Willamette a commanding 8-0 lead in Game #2. The success in the first inning included an RBI infield single by Heather Winslow (Fr., 1B, Oregon City, OR/Oregon City HS), a sacrifice fly by Galli and a bases-loaded walk issued to Robertson.

Four of the five runs in the second were recorded on Martin's grand slam homer. Jessica Barry (Sr., LF, Cupertino, CA/Monte Vista HS/UNLV) tripled to center to start the inning, while Von Trapp hit a bunt single and Winslow was hit by a pitch. Martin followed with the grand slam over the left field fence. Robertson added an RBI on a groundout later in the inning.

WU tacked on three runs in the bottom of the fourth to reach the final score. Romero doubled down the right field line, went to third on a wild pitch and scored on a sacrifice fly by Drabin. Susie Krewer (Sr., 2B/LF, Sacramento, CA/Mira Loma HS) singled to left and Erin Norris (Fr., DP/3B, Salem, OR/South Salem HS) walked. Both runners scored on a single by Amanda Absher (Fr., C/1B, Elk Grove, CA/Franklin HS).

Von Trapp went 3 for 3 with a run scored during the game. Martin was 2 for 2, scored twice and drove in four runs. Barry was 2 for 3 and scored twice, while Mica Romero (Sr., SS, Woodland, Ca/Woodland Christian School) was 2 for 2 with a run scored.

Glantz tossed all five innings to improve to 3-5. She struck out four batters and gave up one walk. Chamberlain of Pacific fell to 4-5 with the loss.

The Bearcats amassed 20 hits during the doubleheader, with eight in the opener and 12 in the second game. Willamette was not charged with an error in either game, while Pacific made just one error.

Willamette's next scheduled games are set for Tuesday, March 27 against Concordia University (Ore.) at the WU Softball Field. The doubleheader will begin at 12 p.m. (PDT).