Lewis & Clark Defeats Bearcats, 8-5 and 3-2

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

SALEM, ORE. -- Lewis & Clark College took advantage of five Willamette University errors to score six unearned runs in the first game, and used a 3-run homer by Caitlin McCormick to win the second game, as the Pioneers swept a doubleheader from the Bearcats, 8-5 and 3-2, at the WU Softball Field on Saturday, Feb. 2.

The Pioneers upped their record to 10-4 overall, 5-1 in the Northwest Conference. Willamette went to 3-7 on the season, 3-3 in the NWC.

In the first game, Amanda Rabith hit a 2-run double and a 2-run homer for the Pioneers, as L&C rallied from an early 3-0 deficit. The Pioneers led 8-3 after six inning. Willamette scored twice in the seventh, but was unable to complete a rally of its own.

L&C achieved one hit and benefited from one error in the top of the first, but left the bases loaded. Willamette moved in front 1-0 in the bottom of the inning when Allie Martin (Jr., OF, Thousand Oaks, CA/Westlake HS) reached base on a fielding error, moved to second on a passed ball, reached third on a groundout and scored on a sacrifice fly by Kelli Snyder (Sr., C, Longview, WA/Kelso HS).

The Bearcats tacked on two runs in the second inning. Erin Norris (So., 3B, Salem, OR/South Salem HS) doubled, and went to third on a bunt single by Heather Winslow (So., 1B/RF, Oregon City, OR/Oregon City HS). Yvonne Drabin (Sr., CF, Fremont, CA/Moreau Catholic HS) doubled to score Norris, but Winslow was thrown out at the plate. Drabin went to third and eventually scored on a passed ball.

With two outs in the top of the third, Jet'aime Mullins singled for Lewis & Clark and Rabith followed with a 2-run homer.

The Pioneers took a 4-3 lead in the fourth stanza. McCormick singled to start the inning. She scored from second one out later when Megan Andre reached first and second base on a throwing error. Andre scored on a two-out single by Kelsey Buck.

L&C solidified its lead with four unearned runs in the sixth. Natalie Rose drove in the first run with a single. Hannah Dal Pra recorded the next RBI while reaching first base on a throwing error by shortstop McKenzie Wasley (Fr., Reno, NV/Galena HS). Rabith drove in the final two runs with a double.

Willamette started to rally in the seventh inning. With one out, Martin singled and Ashley Pender (Fr., 2B, Reno, NV/North Valleys HS) doubled to left field. Snyder hit a single through the left side to bring home both runners. Snyder was thrown out when Courtney Galli (Jr., 1B, Rocklin, CA/Whitney HS) ht into a fielder's choice. Norris lined out to third base to end the game.

Norris was 3 for 4 during the game with a run scored. Five other Bearcats registered one hit apiece. For Lewis & Clark, Rabith went 2 for 4 with a run and four RBIs, while McCormick finished 2 for 3 and scored twice.

Neither team achieved a run in the second game until Galli smacked a homer for Willamette down the left field line to open the bottom of the fourth inning.

The Bearcats created another run in the fifth stanza. Martin was hit by a pitch, and went to second on a sacrifice bunt by Pender. Snyder walked. Norris hit into a fielding error by shortstop Kataleya Milan that loaded the bases. Galli supplied a sacrifice fly to center field to send Martin across the plate.

McCormick's 3-run homer in the top of the sixth inning gave the Pioneers a 3-2 lead. Dal Pra belted a double with one out and Rabith walked with two outs. McCormick batted next and homered to left field.

In the top of the sixth, WU had runners at first and second with one out, but did not score. L&C pitcher Jill Pinder finished a complete-game 3-hitter by facing just three Bearcats in the seventh inning.

Pinder improved to 4-1 on the season for the Pioneers. WU starter Hayley Glantz (So., RHP, Reno, NV/Robert McQueen HS) went 5 2/3 innings and allowed just four hits, but suffered the loss. She also took the loss in the opener. Glantz is now 2-4 overall.

Willamette will play two games at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Ore., on Sunday, Feb. 3. First pitch is set for 12 p.m. (PST).