Bearcats Sweep Loggers with Pair of Run-Rule Wins, 12-4 and 8-0

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

SALEM, ORE -- Willamette University swept a Northwest Conference doubleheader from visiting University of Puget Sound on Saturday, March 30, by winning both games on the 8-run rule. The Bearcats pounded out 17 hits to take the first game, 12-4 in six innings. In the second game, Willamette extended a 2-0 lead by scoring five times in the fifth inning.

In the opener, the Bearcats led 6-1 after three innings, but UPS pulled within 7-4 on two runs in the fourth and one run in the fifth. The Bearcats pulled away by scoring once in the fifth inning, and by adding four runs on four hits and three errors in the sixth.

WU's tallied three runs in the first stanza. Jenna King (So., OF, Camarillo, CA/Adolfo Camarillo HS) singled. Heather Winslow (So., 1B/RF, Oregon City, OR/Oregon City HS) hit a bunt single that allowed King to reach third. Winslow moved on to second when UPS tried to throw out King on the play. Ashley Pender (Fr., 2B, Reno, NV/North Valley HS) drove in both runners with a double down the left field line.

Shannon Reed of Puget Sound hit her first home run of the year to start the second inning. The Bearcats responded with a run in the bottom half of the inning, as Angela Witty (Fr., UT, Eugene, OR/Henry D. Sheldon HS) singled and later scored on a base hit by King. WU held a 4-1 lead.

Amanda Fernandes (So., UT, Elk Grove, CA/Franklin HS) of Willamette smacked a solo home run, her second of the season, with two outs in the third inning. Erin Bueser (Fr., P, Mill Creek, WA/Henry M. Jackson HS) followed with a single to left, and pinch runner Yvonne Drabin (Sr., CF, Fremont, CA/Moreau Catholic HS) scored when Witty doubled near the left field line.

After the Loggers moved as close as 6-3 and 7-4, the Bearcats added gained a bit of separation with a run in in the fifth inning. Witty singled, went to second on a ground out, stole third and scored on a throwing error.

Hayley Glantz (So., P, Reno, NV/Robert McQueen HS) who pitched the final three innings for WU, faced just three batters in the sixth.

When Willamette returned to the plate, the Bearcats put together a four-run inning. All four runs were unearned, as Puget Sound committed three errors. Witty recorded two RBIs on a single toward the right field line, while McKenzie Wasley (Fr., SS, Reno, NV/Galena HS) added a one-run single to left field. The game ended when WU took an 8-run lead with two outs in the inning.

King led the Bearcats with a 4-for-5 effort at the plate. Witty finished 4 for 4 with two runs and three RBIs. Winslow was 3 for 4 and scored twice. For UPS, Olivia Turner went 3 for 3, while Reed and Brianna Huber each went 2 for 3. Huber scored two of the Loggers' four runs.

Willamette scored six runs -- three earned -- in the bottom of the fifth inning in the second game to turn a close game into an 8-0 victory. The big hit of the inning was a 3-run homer by Ashley Pender (Fr., 2B, Reno, NV/North Valley HS). WU added three other hits during the inning, while the Loggers made two errors.

Pender also hit a two-run triple in the third inning to give WU a 2-0 lead. She was 2 for 3 during the game with a run and five RBIs.

King went 2 for 3 and scored once in the second game. She concluded the doubleheader 6 of 8 for the Bearcats.

Glantz and Victoria Bradshaw (Fr., P, Discovery Bay, CA/Liberty HS) each pitched during part of both games. In the first game, Glantz improved to 8-9 with the win. Bradshaw received the win in the second game, as she moved to 4-3.

Willamette upped its record to 12-14 on the season, 8-8 in the Northwest Conference. Puget Sound fell to 0-27 overall, 0-16 in the NWC.

The Bearcats will host Linfield College in an doubleheader on Wednesday, April 3 at the WU Softball Field. The first game is set to begin at 2 p.m. (PDT).