Pacific Wins Two NWC Games against Bearcats, 4-3 and 5-0

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

FOREST GROVE, ORE. -- Pacific University scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to rally for a 4-3 victory in the first game, and then carried the momentum into the second game for a 5-0 win, as the Boxers swept a doubleheader from Willamette University on Sunday, March 3 at Sherman/Larkins Stadium.

The Boxers upped their record to 8-8 on the season, including 4-4 in the Northwest Conference. Willamette fell to 3-9 overall, 3-5 in the NWC.

In the first game, Willamette owned a 3-1 lead at the end of three innings. After Rachel Roberts of Pacific walked and later scored in the bottom of the first inning, the Bearcats responded with a tying run in the second inning and two runs in the third.

With two outs in the second stanza, Heather Winslow (So., 1B/RF, Oregon City, OR/Oregon City HS) singled on a bunt toward third base. She stole second base, and then scored when Jenna King (So., LF, Camarillo, CA/Adolfo Camarillo HS) hit into a fielder's choice that resulted in an error by Roberts at shortstop.

In the third, Ashly Pender (Fr., 2B, Reno, NV/North Valleys HS) hit an infield single with one out. She stole second base with two outs. Erin Norris (So., 3B/DP, Salem, OR/South Salem HS) walked and Courtney Galli (Jr., 3B/1B, Rocklin, CA/Whitney HS) singled to drive in Pender and move Norris to third.

Yvonne Drabin (Sr., CF, Fremont, CA/Moreau Catholic HS) brought home the next run while reaching first base on a fielder's choice, as Norris beat the throw to the plate.

Pacific pushed across a run in the fifth inning to cut the margin to 3-2. In the seventh, the Boxers had runners at first and second with one out when Megan Winans singled to left field to drive in pinch-runner Maddie Collura with the tying run.

Another pinch-runner, Kaitlyn Shikada went from first to third on the play, while Winans advanced to second when Willamette tried to put out Collura at the plate.

Ashley Mitchell batted next and sent a single into left field, allowing Shikada to score the winning run.

In the second game, Pacific pitcher Sara Aasness limited Willamette to six hits. She threw all seven innings, registered four strikeouts and allowed just one walk. The Boxers plated a run in the first inning, added three runs in the fourth stanza and completed the scoring with one run in the sixth.

Becca Moen walked in the bottom of the first and eventually scored for the Boxers with two outs on the fourth walk of the inning. During the 3-run fourth inning, Kylee Yamamoto drove in one run with a triple to left center. Three batters later, with two outs, Marissa Reichard drove in two more runs with a single up the middle.

Yamamoto singled to start the Pacific half of the sixth inning and later scored the final run of the game.

For the Bearcats in the first game, Kelli Snyder (Sr., C, Longview, WA/Kelso HS) was 2 for 3. She added a pinch-hit single in the second game to finish 3 for 4 during the doubleheader. In the second game, Pender and Drabin each went 2 for 3.

Pacific received a 3-for-4 performance from Winans in the first game. Jessie Moore went 2 for 3 and Mitchell was 2 for 4. During the second game, Yamamoto was 3 for 3 with two runs and an RBI. Reichard added three RBIs, while Mitchell finished 1 for 2 with a run scored.

Willamette will play at the NFCA Division III Leadoff Classic next weekend. Pool play is scheduled for Friday, March 8 and Saturday, March 9, while bracket play will begin on March 9 and continue through Sunday, March 10. All of the action will take place in Columbus, Ga.