Bearcats to Begin Homestand against Pacific Lutheran and Puget Sound

By Evan Giddings, Student Assistant Athletics Communications Director

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.

Coming into the games with PLU and UPS, the Bearcats are 7-17 overall and are 4-10 in conference play. Last weekend, the team captured an exciting, extra-inning victory over nationally-ranked George Fox University, 3-2.

In the eight-inning effort by Willamette, starting pitcher Jade Smith(So., P, Chico, CA/Chico HS) tossed a stellar game, going the distance for her eighth complete game, while allowing only one earned run (two unearned). She gave up just six hits, while striking out six batters and walking two.

The Bearcat offense was led by Kayla Rieger (Sr., 3B/OF, Anacortes, WA/Anacortes HS/Adelphi Univ.) who went 2 for 3 in the game, including a triple and a run scored. Ashley Pender(Jr., 2B, Reno, NV/North Valleys HS) also contributed by scoring the winning run in the first game and going 4 for 8 over the two games against the Bruins.

On the season, the WU offense has been headed by Myranda Ramirez(So., CF, Sunnyvale, CA/Homestead HS), who leads the Northwest Conference with an outstanding .517 average (31 for 60). She has also provided power, hitting two home runs and pounding out six doubles.

Pender, Heather Winslow (Sr., 1B, Oregon City, OR/Oregon City HS), and Rieger also have aided the offense. Pender is hitting .366 (26 for 71), with Winslow at .362 (25 for 69) and Rieger at .351 (26 for 74). Pender leads the team with 15 runs batted in, while Winslow ranks first with 15 stolen bases. Rieger has scored a team-high 17 runs on the season.

The other Bearcats batting over .300 include Molly Lathrop (So., OF, Maple Valley, WA/Tahoma HS), Jenna King (Sr., OF, Camarillo, CA/Adolfo Camarillo HS), and Mallory Asaro (So., SS, Rocklin, CA/Rocklin HS). Lathrop is hitting .324 (11-34), while King holds a .310 average (22 for 71), and Asaro is batting an even .300 (15 for 50).

In the circle, Smith has remained strong. In her 11 starts, she has amassed 75 innings and achieved a 3.08 earned run average with a 5-6 record. She has tallied 33 strikeouts while walking 18 batters.

Pacific Lutheran holds a 15-11 overall record and is 8-6 in the NWC standings. The games scheduled on March 15 between the Lutes and the Bearcats were canceled due to rain, so Friday will be the first time the two teams meet this season. The rained out doubleheader has been rescheduled for Wednesday, April 8 at 2 p.m. (PDT) in Parkland, Washington.

The Lutes are led on offense by Thalen Masada (So., UTIL) and Crysti Snyder (Fr., INF). Masada has recorded a .316 average (24 for 76) while leading the team with 19 runs scored. She is also first in stolen bases, having swiped eight. Snyder has knocked in a team-high 15 runs and has hit one home run.

As for PLU's pitching, Marissa Miller (Fr., P) and Leah Butters (Sr., P) each have thrown well as starters. Over 78 2/3 innings, Miller has maintained a 3.65 ERA while twirling nine complete games. In the process, she has attained a 6-5 record. Butters has a 4.90 ERA through 64 1/3 innings pitched, and has earned a 7-5 record while tossing seven complete games.

Willamette's opponent on Saturday, Puget Sound, currently sits at 4-22 overall with a 1-13 conference record. In their last meeting, Willamette defeated the Loggers in both games by scores of 13-7 and 15-0. The first victory came in extra innings as WU put up six runs in the top of the ninth. The second win was in five innings via the run rule.

Puget Sound's top hitter is Lisa Colombo (Jr., INF), who is batting .292 (21 for 72) with four doubles and a team-leading 12 runs scored. Another contributor is Paige Schaffer (So., INF), who is tied for the team lead with two home runs and ranks first on the roster with 10 RBIs.

The Loggers' pitching features Jaci Young (So., P/OF) and Kayla Andrus (Jr., P). Young holds a 5.99 ERA over 69 innings and has thrown six complete games. Andrus has produced a 6.21 ERA through 62 innings while pitching four complete games.