Bearcats and Pirates Split Doubleheader in Softball

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

SPOKANE, WASH. -- Heather Winslow (Sr., 1B, Oregon City, OR/Oregon City HS) hit an RBI double in the fifth inning and Myranda Ramirez (So., OF, Sunnyvale, CA/Homestead HS) followed with a two-run homer, as Willamette University defeated Whitworth University, 3-1, in the first game of a doubleheader on Sunday, March 1. Whitworth won the second game, 11-0, in five innings on the run rule.

Willamette's record is now 1-9 on the season, including 1-3 in the Northwest Conference. Whitworth ended the day at 10-4 overall, 3-1 in the NWC.

The first game was scoreless until Willamette's at bat in the fifth. With one out, Molly Lathrop (So., OF, Maple Valley, WA/Tahoma HS) bunted and reached base when the throw was dropped by the second baseman covering first base. Winslow doubled to center field to drive in Lathrop for a 1-0 lead.

One out later, Winslow stole third before Ramierez belted a homer to center field. Willamette remained in front 3-0 entering the bottom of the sixth.

Chelsey Hayes singled to open the sixth for the Pirates. She moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Alyssa Hall, went to third on an infield single by Peyton McMahon, and scored when the single was misplayed at second base. Kelsey Stroshine lined into a double play toward shortstop Mallory Asaro (So., Rocklin, CA/Rocklin HS) to end the inning.

Whitworth's final at bat in the seventh started with Sacha Clow hitting a single up the middle. After a popup for the first out, Kayla Batastini hit into a fielder's choice, with Clow thrown out at second. Pinch-hitter Kelsey Downey lined out to the the circle to end the game.

Pitcher Jade Smith (So., P, Chico, CA/Chico HS) of Willamette three all seven innings and allowed seven hits with no walks and no strikeouts, while recording the win. She moved to 1-3 on the season. Madi Perez of Whitworth also threw seven innings. She fell to 5-2 after giving up six hits and two walks to go with four strikeouts.

Winslow was 2 for 4 in the opener with a run and an RBI for the Bearcats. Four other Willamette players earned one hit apiece. Stroshine was 2 for 3 with a triple for Whitworth. The Pirates held a slim 7-6 advantage in hits during the game.

In the second game, Whitworth took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Tessa Matthews brought in Hall with the first run on a bases-loaded walk. The second run was scored by McMahon on a sacrifice fly to center field by Clow.

The Pirates broke open the game with nine runs on seven hits and one error in the third inning. Five of the runs were earned. The inning included a two-run single by Downey, plus a three-run homer by Batatsini, a two-run blast by McMahon and a solo homer by Stroshine.

Overall, the Pirates achieved nine hits during the game. Batatinin was 2 for 2, while Hall and McMahon each finished 2 for 3. McMahon scored three runs and Hall scored twice. For Willamette, King was 2 for 2, while Ramirez went 1 for 2 with a double.

Whitworth pitcher Makayla Lefever tossed all five innings in the second game. She recorded three strikeouts and gave up four hits, while allowing two walks.

Willamette will play its first home games on Saturday, March 7, when the Bearcats are scheduled to host Pacific University in a Northwest Conference doubleheader. First pitch is set for 12 p.m. (PST).