Bearcats Win Twice at Puget Sound, 13-7 in Nine Innings and 15-0

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

TACOMA, WASH. -- The Willamette University softball team rallied from a 5-1 deficit to defeat University of Puget Sound in the first game of a doubleheader, 13-7 in nine innings, on Saturday, March 14 at Logger Field. Willamette swept the doubleheader by winning the second game 15-0 on the run rule in five innings.

With the pair of wins, the Bearcats improved to 3-13 on the season, 3-7 in the Northwest Conference. Puget Sound slipped to 1-15 overall, 1-9 in the NWC.

Willamette got on the scoreboard in the top of the first inning, after Heather Winslow(Sr., 1B, Oregon City, OR/Oregon City HS) drew a leadoff walk, stole second, and scored when Jenna King (Sr., OF, Camarillo, CA/Adolfo Camarillo HS) reached on an error.

The Loggers responded with five runs in the bottom of the second to grab a 5-1 lead, butthe Bearcats cut the margin to 5-2 with a run in the third inning behind another leadoff walk from Winslow. This time, Winslow walked, stole second, and scored on an RBI single from Amanda Absher (Sr., C, Elk Grove, CA/Franklin HS).

Willamette pulled within 5-4 in the fifth inning, taking advantage of a UPS pitching change.

Pinch-hitter Molly Lathrop (So., OF, Maple Valley, WA/Tahoma HS) drew a leadoff walk, advancing to second on a single by Ashley Pender (Jr., 2B, Reno, NV/North Valleys HS). Lathrop moved to third when Absher reached on a fielder's choice. After pinch-runner Carrie Fox (Fr., OF, Dupont, WA/Steilacoom HS) stole second, Kayla Rieger(Sr., 3B/OF, Anacortes, WA/Anacortes HS/Adelphi Univ.) brought both runners home with an RBI single.

Puget Sound extended its lead to 6-4 in the bottom of the fifth, but the Bearcats surged in front with three runs in the top of the seventh.

With the Bearcats down to their last out and King on first base, Alex Shields (So., C, Lake Forest, CA/El Toro HS) made it all the way to second base on an error by Logger center fielder Jessica Gott. King scored to pull the Willamette within one, and the Bearcats tied the score when Rieger doubled Shields home.

Mallory Asaro (So., SS, Rocklin, CA/Rocklin HS) then singled in Rieger, giving WU the lead.

UPS tied the game with a run in the bottom of the seventh, sending the game into extra innings.Neither team scored in the eighth, but Willamette another two out rally led to six runs in the top of the ninth, giving the Bearcats the win.

Rieger walked and stole second before Asaro and Steffany Dunn (So., INF, Colfax, CA/Colfax HS) launched back-to-back RBI doubles to put WU in front 9-7. Dunn scored when Danielle Saunders (Fr., OF, Salem, OR/McNary HS) reached on an error, and Saunders advanced to third base on a Winslow double. A single from King brought Saunders home, and a Pender triple provided the final margin, scoring both Winslow and King.

Jade Smith (So., P, Chico, CA/Chico HS) pitched all nine innings for Willamette, allowing seven runs - though just one earned run - on seven hits.

WU built a 5-0 lead in the first inning of the second game. UPS pitcher Kasey Stern hit Myranda Ramirez (So., OF, Sunnyvale, CA/Homestead HS) with a pitch to lead off the game. Ramirez stole second, then scored when King's single was not fielded cleanly by Logger center fielder Jaci Young.King stole second, then was doubled home by Pender.

A single by Asaro was followed by a double steal that advanced both Pender and Asaro into scoring position, and an Absher double scored both runners. Absher then advanced to third on a wild pitch, scoring on a RBI single from Rieger.

The Bearcats tacked on one run in the second inning - a Winslow home run - and then pulled away with three runs in the fourthand six more in the fifth.

Rieger led off the fourth with a homer, before Pender doubled home King and Molly Lathrop (So., OF, Maple Valley, WA/Tahoma HS) to push Willamette's lead to 9-0.

In the fifth, Erin Norris (Sr., INF, Salem, OR/South Salem HS), Rieger, and Elaine Norcia (Fr., 1B, Santa Ynez, CA/Santa Ynez Valley Union HS) loaded the bases with back-to-back-to-back one out singles. Ramirez brought two runs home with a single, and Lathrop plated two more with a triple.

After Carrie Fox (Fr., OF, DuPont, WA/Steilacoom HS) was hit by a pitch, Pender doubled Lathrop home. Fox completed the scoring after scoring on a UPS error.

Hayley Glantz (Sr., P, Reno, NV/Robert McQueen HS) pitched five scoreless innings for Willamette to secure the run rule victory.

Multiple Bearcats had an outstanding day at the plate. Combined, Rieger finished the doubleheader 5 for 8 (.625) with five RBIs, while Pender finished 5 for 10 (.500) with six RBIs. King, and Asaro also had multiple hits in both games.

Willamette is slated to play two games at Pacific Lutheran University in Parkland, Wash., on Sunday, March 15. First pitch is set for 12 p.m. (PST).