Willamette Scores in Bunches in 10-1, 19-10 Sweep of George Fox

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

HAPPY VALLEY, ORE. -- Willamette University plated seven runs in one inning in the first game and scored nine runs in one inning during the second game, as the Bearcats swept a Northwest Conference doubleheader from George Fox University, 10-1 and 19-10, on Saturday, Feb. 25 at Hood View Park. Both games ended on the run rule in five innings.

The Bearcats improved to 3-4 on the season, while starting Northwest Conference play at 2-0. George Fox fell to 5-7 overall, 0-2 in the NWC.

Although Willamette scored 29 runs in the doubleheader, a key player for the Bearcats was pitcher Alex Watilo (Sr., RHP, Newcastle, CA/Del Oro HS). Watilo threw all five innings in the opener, as she held George Fox to five hits and one run. She entered the second game in the bottom of the third inning with WU leading 16-10, and allowed just one hit and no runs in 2 1/3 innings.

Watilo picked up both wins to improve to 3-2 on the season. She registered five strikeouts and allowed one walk in the first game. In her relief appearance, she added two strikeouts and gave up two walks.

In the first game, Willamette held a slim 6-5 edge in hits, but the Bearcats took advantage of five errors by the Bruins. Willamette did not have an error during the game.

The Bearcats pounded 17 hits in the second game, while GFU registered 11. Both teams had more difficulty on defense in Game #2, as playing in the rainy, windy and cold conditions took its toll. The Bruins committed seven errors and WU had five errors.

Willamette took charge of the first game almost immediately. Jessica Barry (Jr., LF, Cupertino, CA/Monte Vista HS/UNLV) opened the game with a walk. She scored on a triple by Allison Martin (So., C/DP, Thousand Oaks, CA/Westlake HS) before Heather Winslow (Fr., 1B, Oregon City, OR/Oregon city HS) was hit by a pitch. A wild pitch allowed Martin to score and sent Winslow to third.

Courtney Galli (So., 2B/SS, Rocklin, CA/Rocklin HS) singled to left field to drive in Winslow for a 3-0 lead.

A bit later in the inning, Theresa Martin (Fr., 3B, Modesto, CA/Johansen HS) hit an RBI triple to give WU a 6-0 advantage. Nichole Robertson (Sr., RF, Elk Grove, CA/Franklin HS/Cosumnes River Coll.) drove in Martin on a grounder that led to the first out of the inning. Two more outs ended the threat.

The Bearcats maintain their 7-0 margin until the top of the fourth. Robertson started the inning with a double. A wild pitch advanced Robertson to third, and then Yvonne Drabin (Jr., CF, Freemont, CA/Moreau Catholic HS) walked. When Drabin stole second, the catcher committed a throwing error, allowing Robertson to score.

George Fox earned hits only run of the game in the bottom of the fourth. A single through the left side by Felicia Chavez, plus a single to right center by Bethany Chriss and an infield hit by Mckynna Towery tied loaded the bases. Chavez scored on a groundout by McKenzie Beeson.

With two outs in the top of the fifth, Willamette used two walks and two errors to register the final two runs of the game. WU walked two more times during the inning, but did not score again.

Allison Martin was 2 for 3 with a run and an RBI. Four other Bearcats each recorded one hit. Mica Romero (Sr., SS, Woodland, CA/Woodland Christian School) walked once and scored two runs. For George Fox, Towery was 2 for 2.

The Bearcats scored in all five innings in the second game.

WU tallied four runs on four hits in the top of the first, with the initial run scoring on a passed ball. Hope Kloczko (Jr., C, Cameron Park, CA/Oak Ridge HS) and Romero followed with back-to-back RBI doubles, before Theresa Martin drove in the fourth run with a single.

Two errors helped GFU cut the lead to 4-3 in the bottom of the first.

Willamette's big 9-run inning occurred in the top of the second. The Bearcats sent 14 batters to plate, registered six hits and benefited from three errors. Theresa Martin smacked a two-RBI double during the attack, while Allison Martin and Robertson each had an RBI single. The three errors led to four unearned runs and to five runs scoring without an RBI.

George Fox trailed 13-3 entering the bottom of the second, but the Bruins tallied six runs to cut the margin to 13-9. The Bruins achieved six hits during the inning, while Willamette made three errors. Jenny Milton drove in two runs with a double and Chriss earned two RBIs with a single.

Three runs by Willamette in the top of the third created a seven-run cushion for the Bearcats. Theresa Martin brought in one run with a single. The other two runs scored when Barry hit a single to left field and the ball was misplayed. Barry was credited with one RBI.

The Bruins picked up one run in their next at bat, but still trailed 16-10. WU added an additional run in the top of the fourth and plated two runs in the fifth to complete the scoring.

Theresa Martin was 4 for 4 for Willamette in Game #2, She scored three runs and earned four RBIs. Barry went 3 for 3 with a walk, three runs and two RBIs, while Winslow finished 3 for 4 with three runs scored. Robertson was 2 for 3 and tallied two runs. Kloczko went 2 for 2 for the Bearcats.

Chavez was 3 for 4 with two runs and an RBI for GFU. Chriss added a 2-for-2 effort with two runs, two walks and three RBIs. Kris Trindle was 2 for 4 and scored two runs, while Milton went 2 for 4 with a run and an RBI.

Willamette and George Fox are slated to play another doubleheader at Hood View Park on Sunday, Feb. 26. First pitch is set for 12 p.m. (PST).