2014-15 Softball News

Season
Bearcat Softball Bats Heat up the Spring
Bearcat Softball Bats Heat up the Spring

SALEM, Ore. -- Led by a powerful and balanced lineup, plus exceptionally quick baserunners, the Willamette University Bearcats closed out the 2015 softball season by batting .380 as a team in the final 24 games, while stealing 75 bases. Willamette finished the year at 16-22 overall, but went 15-9 to end the season.

Ramirez Selected First Team All-West Region in Softball
Ramirez Selected First Team All-West Region in Softball

SALEM, ORE. -- Center fielder Myranda Ramirez (Jr./So., Sunnyvale, CA/Homestead HS) of Willamette University has been selected for First Team All-West Region honors by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association for the 2015 season. Ramirez was one of 15 NCAA Division III players chosen for First Team All-West Region recognition.

Ramirez Chosen Northwest Conference Softball Player of the Year
Ramirez Chosen Northwest Conference Softball Player of the Year

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University center fielder Myranda Ramirez (Jr./So., Sunnyvale, CA/Homestead HS) has been selected as the 2015 Northwest Conference Player of the Year, in voting by the NWC head coaches. Ramirez also was chosen for First Team All-NWC honors, as she led the conference with a .500 batting average.

Linfield Wins Twice against Bearcats as Willamette Ends Season
Linfield Wins Twice against Bearcats as Willamette Ends Season

McMINNVILLE, Ore. -- Linfield College defeated Willamette University in both games of a Northwest Conference doubleheader on Sunday, April 19, winning the first game 8-0 and the second game 11-1. Both games ended on the run rule in five innings.

Smith Throws 3-Hit Shutout in 1-0 Victory over Linfield
Smith Throws 3-Hit Shutout in 1-0 Victory over Linfield

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University pitcher Jade Smith (So., P, Chico, CA/Chico HS) tossed a three-hit, complete-game shutout to lead the Bearcats to a 1-0 win over Linfield College in the first game of a Northwest Conference doubleheader on Saturday, April 18 at the WU Softball Field. Linfield was victorious in the second game 15-6 on the run rule in six innings.

Willamette to Finish Regular Season with Archrival Linfield
Willamette to Finish Regular Season with Archrival Linfield

SALEM, Ore. -- Entering the final week of the season with an 8-2 record in its last 10 games, the Willamette University softball team will look to keep momentum when it takes on archrival Linfield College in two doubleheaders. The first two games will be on Saturday, April 18 at the WU Softball Field with the last two games on Sunday, April 19 at Linfield. First pitch is set for 12 p.m. (PDT) each day.

Rieger Named NWC Softball Position Student-Athlete of the Week
Rieger Named NWC Softball Position Student-Athlete of the Week

SALEM, ORE. -- Kayla Rieger (Sr., 3B, Anacortes, WA/Anacortes HS/Adelphi Univ.) of Willamette University has been selected as the Northwest Conference Softball Position Student-Athlete of the Week for her efforts as the Bearcats went 4-2 in NWC games between April 8 and April 12.

Willamette Defeats Pioneers 4-3 and 8-4 to Complete Four-Game Sweep
Willamette Defeats Pioneers 4-3 and 8-4 to Complete Four-Game Sweep

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University completed a four-game sweep of its Northwest Conference series with Lewis & Clark College on Sunday, April 12, as the Bearcats won 4-3 and 8-4 at the WU Softball Field. Willamette trailed in each game before rallying for all four wins.

Willamette Rallies Twice against Pioneers to win 9-8 and 6-3
Willamette Rallies Twice against Pioneers to win 9-8 and 6-3

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University rallied from a six-run deficit in the first game and overcame a smaller margin in the second game, as the Bearcats defeated Lewis & Clark College twice on Saturday, April 11 at the WU Softball Field. The Bearcats won the opener, 9-8, and took the second game, 6-3.

Bearcats to Battle Lewis & Clark in Northwest Conference Softball
Bearcats to Battle Lewis & Clark in Northwest Conference Softball

SALEM, Ore. -- The Willamette University softball team will take on Lewis & Clark College in two Northwest Conference doubleheaders this weekend. The first two games will be on Saturday, April 11 and the second twinbill will be on Sunday, April 12. Both doubleheaders are set to start at 12 p.m. (PDT) and will be held at the WU Softball Field.

Bearcats Travel for Doubleheader on Wednesday against Pacific Lutheran
Bearcats Travel for Doubleheader on Wednesday against Pacific Lutheran

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University's softball team will take on Pacific Lutheran University in a doubleheader of make-up games on Wednesday, April 7 in Parkland, Washington. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. (PDT). Both games were originally set for March 15, but were rained out.

Pacific Lutheran Rallies for Two Wins versus Bearcats, 4-3 and 7-6
Pacific Lutheran Rallies for Two Wins versus Bearcats, 4-3 and 7-6

PARKLAND, Wash. -- Pacific Lutheran University rallied from deficits in both games to defeat Willamette University 4-3 and 7-6 in eight innings during a Northwest Conference softball doubleheader on Wednesday, April 8. The Lutes trailed 3-1 after five innings in the first game. PLU was behind 6-1 after five innings in the second game.

Smith Selected as NWC Softball Pitcher Student-Athlete of the Week
Smith Selected as NWC Softball Pitcher Student-Athlete of the Week

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University sophomore pitcher Jade Smith (So., P, Chico, CA/Chico HS) has been chosen Northwest Conference Softball Pitcher Student-Athlete of the Week for her efforts as the Bearcats swept doubleheaders against Pacific Lutheran University and University of Puget Sound.

Bearcats Sweep Loggers, 9-0 and 8-0, in NWC Softball Doubleheader
Bearcats Sweep Loggers, 9-0 and 8-0, in NWC Softball Doubleheader

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University earned a pair of run-rule victories over University of Puget Sound in Northwest Conference softball action on Saturday, April 4. The Bearcats won the first game 8-0 in five innings after building a 5-0 lead in their first at bat. In the second game, WU scored six times in the fourth inning for a 7-0 lead, and won 9-0 in six innings.

Willamette Sweeps Doubleheader against Pacific Lutheran, 9-1 and 15-7
Willamette Sweeps Doubleheader against Pacific Lutheran, 9-1 and 15-7

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University swept a doubleheader from Pacific Lutheran University at the WU Softball Field on Friday, April 3, winning both games on the run rule. The Bearcats downed the Lutes 9-1 in five innings in the first game, and won the second game 15-7 in six innings. The Bearcats upped their record to 9-17 on the season, including 6-10 in the NWC. Willamette is 8-4 in its last 12 games. Pacific Lutheran fell to 15-13 overall, 8-8 in the NWC.

Bearcats to Begin Homestand against Pacific Lutheran and Puget Sound
Bearcats to Begin Homestand against Pacific Lutheran and Puget Sound

SALEM, Ore. -- This weekend, the Willamette University softball team begins a stretch with 10 out of 12 games at home, starting with a doubleheader against Pacific Lutheran University on Friday, April 3rd and a doubleheader versus University of Puget Sound on Saturday, April 4th. First pitch on Friday is set for 2 p.m. (PDT), with Saturday's action starting at 12 p.m.