Pacific Lutheran Sweeps Doubleheader from Bearcats

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

SALEM, ORE -- Pacific Lutheran University swept a doubleheader from the Willamette University Bearcats on Friday, March 29, as the Lutes won 10-2 and 7-2 at the WU Softball Field. In the first game, PLU blasted four home runs, including two by first baseman Amanda Hall. In the second game, pitcher Kaaren Hatlen threw a two-hitter for the Lutes.

With the wins, Pacific Lutheran moved its record to 17-9 on the season, including 10-4 in the Northwest Conference.

Willamette catcher Kelli Snyder (Sr., C, Longview, WA/Kelso HS) pounded out a double in the first game. She smacked a two-run homer in the seventh inning of the second game.

The Bearcats took a 2-0 lead in the first game. Erin Norris (So., 3B, Salem, OR/South Salem HS) singled to right field to open the second inning. Heather Winslow (So., 1B/RF, Oregon City, OR/Oregon City HS) hit into a fielder's choice, but shortstop Lindsey Matsunaga misplayed the throw to second and Norris was safe.

Norris and Winslow each advanced a base when Yvonne Drabin (Sr., CF, Freemont, CA/Moreau Catholic HS) grounded out. With two outs, Allison Martin (Jr., OF, Thousand Oaks, CA/Westlake HS) hit an infield single that forced the first baseman to go several steps toward the circle. Martin beat the throw, while Norris and Winslow scored on the play.

Willamette held the lead until the top of the fourth inning, when the Lutes plate four runs.

Hall and Hatlen belted back-to-back homers with one out, as Pacific Lutheran tied the score at 2-2. Victoria Bradshaw (Fr., P, Discovery Bay, CA/Liberty HS) took over in the circle before Katie Lowery singled to left field. WU recorded the second out on a grounder to shortstop, but the Lutes received RBI singles from Matsunaga and Glenelle Nitta to take a 4-2 lead.

The Bearcats received a two-out double from Courtney Galli (Jr., 3B/1B, Rocklin, CA/Whitney HS) in the bottom of the inning. She stole third base, but PLU pitcher Kelsey Robinson recorded a strikeout to end the inning.

Pacific Lutheran added three runs in the fifth. The first two runs scored on a single by Hatlen. Pinch runner Melissa Harrelson stole second and crossed the plate on a double by Robinson.

Wasley and Jenna King (So., OF, Camarillo, CA/Adolfo Camarillo HS) each provided a single in the bottom of the fifth, but the Bearcats left both runners on base.

The Lutes tallied the final three runs in the seventh inning, on a two-run homer by Hall and a solo homer by Emily Streeter.

PLU earned a 13-9 edge in base hits during the opener. Hall was 2 for 3 with three runs and three RBIs. Hatlen went 2 for 4, scored once and drove in three runs. King led Willamette by going 3 for 4.

In the second game, the Lutes, scored twice with two outs in the first inning, as Hall singled up the middle and Hatlen homered over the right field fence. The Lutes increased their lead to 3-0 with a run in the third inning and capped their scoring with four runs in the fourth.

Montessa Califano doubled down the left field line and later scored on an error in the third inning. With two outs in the fourth inning, Spencer Sherwin doubled and Califano added an RBI single. Hall reached base on an error and Hatlen drove in three runs with her third homer of the doubleheader.

Hatlen also created trouble for the Bearcats as the pitcher in Game 2. She allowed just two hits and had a no-hitter going until King hit a leadoff single toward third base in the fourth inning.

Willamette plated both of its runs with one out in the seventh. Ashley Pender (Fr., 2B, Reno, NV/North Valley HS) received the only walk allowed by Hatlen, and then Snyder followed with a homer to straight-away center. It was her third home run of the year.

Hatlen was one of three Lutes with two hits. She was 2 for 2 with two homers, two runs and five RBIs. Sherwin and Califano also finished with two hits.

Robinson improved to 7-3 for PLU with the win in the first game, while Hatlen upped her record to 6-4. For Willamette, Bradshaw (3-3) took the loss in the opener. Hayley Glantz (So., P, Reno, NV/Robert McQueen HS) fell to 7-9 with the loss in the second game.

Willamette will host the University of Puget Sound in a Northwest Conference doubleheader on Saturday, March 30. First pitch is set for 12 p.m. (PDT).