Puget Sound Edges WU in Softball Doubleheader, 2-1 and 13-12

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

TACOMA, WASH. -- University of Puget Sound pitcher Megan Campbell threw a complete-game three-hitter to win the opener, 2-1, and the Loggers won a high-scoring battle in the second game, 13-12, to take a Northwest Conference doubleheader from visiting Willamette University on Saturday, April 13 at Logger Field.

The wins were the first of the season for Puget Sound, which moved to 2-33 overall, 2-22 in the NWC. Willamette ended the day at 14-20 on the season, 10-14 in the NWC.

Willamette scored first in the opening game. Amanda Fernandes (So., UT, Elk Grove, CA/Franklin HS) was hit by a pitch to start the second inning. Erin Bueser (Fr., 1B, Mill Creek, WA/Henry M. Jackson HS) advanced Fernandes with a sacrifice bunt. With two outs, Yvonne Drabin (Sr., CF, Fremont, CA/Moreau Catholic HS) hit an RBI single, but was thrown out trying to reach second base.

UPS tied the game when Amy Schmeckpeper reached base on an error in the third inning and later scored on a double by Taylor Jones. The Loggers scored what proved to be the wining run in the fifth inning, as Schmeckpeper singled and Jenica Holt doubled to open the stanza. WU escaped the inning without allowing another run.

The Bearcats had one base runner in each of the last two innings, as Kelli Snyder (Sr., C, Longview, WA/Kelso HS) walked with two outs in the sixth and Heather Winslow (So., 1B/RF, Oregon City, OR/Oregon City HS) walked with one out and stole second with two outs in the seventh. Campbell got out of both situations to preserve the win for UPS.

Campbell's three hitter was nearly matched by the combined pitching of WU starter Victoria Bradshaw (Fr., P, Discovery Bay, CA/Liberty HS) and reliever Hayley Glantz (So., P, Reno, NV/Robert McQueen HS). Bradshaw allowed four hits in 4 1/3 innings in the circle, while Glantz held the Loggers without a hit over 1 2/3 innings.

Holt went 2 for 3 for Puget Sound and was the only player on either team with more than one hit.

The offenses go into gear in the second game, as Puget Sound earned 15 hits and Willamette was credited with 13 hits.

UPS led 5-1 after three innings, but Willamette scored 10 runs -- including a grand slam homer by Fernandes -- in the top of the fourth inning to pull in front, 11-5. The big inning for the Bearcats also included two RBIs by Winslow, one each on a groundout and a double. WU earned eight hits during the stanza.

Puget Sound countered with six runs in the bottom of the inning to tie the game at 11-11. Lisa Colombo and Chelsea Lindroth each hit a two-RBI singles, while Schmeckpeper added a two-run double.

The Loggers claimed a 13-11 lead with two runs in the fifth. Jones singled and later scored the go-ahead run on a double by Colombo. Shannon Reed drove in Colombo with two outs on a single up the middle.

In the top of the seventh, Snyder doubled for Willamette with one out. Ashley Pender (Fr., 2B, Reno, NV/North Valley HS) lined out to third base, before Courtney Galli (Jr., IF, Rocklin, CA/Whitney HS) singled to score Snyder from second. Fernandes popped up to first base for the final out.

Schmeckpeper was 4 for 5 with a run and three RBIs in the second game for Puget Sound. Jones finished 3 for 5 and scored twice. For Willamette, five players each contributed two hits, including Drabin and Snyder, who also scored two runs apiece.

Willamette is slated to play a doubleheader at Pacific Lutheran University on Sunday, April 14, in Parkland, Wash. First pitch is set for 12 p.m. (PDT).