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

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

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.

Smith struck out seven batters and allowed just one walk, while improving to 12-7 on the season. Montana McNealy of Linfield also struck out seven batters in the opener, but fell to 17-5.

The only run in the first games was scored by Willamette's Myranda Ramirez (So., CF, Sunnyvale, CA/Homestead HS). She went home from third base on a single by Amanda Absher (Sr., C, Elk Grove, CA/Franklin HS) with two outs in the third inning.

Splitting the doubleheader moved Willamette to 16-20 on the season, 13-13 in the NWC. Linfield ended the day at 26-12 overall and 15-11 in the NWC.

Willamette and Linfield will play two games in McMinnville, Oregon, on Sunday, April 19. First pitch is slated for 12 p.m. (PDT). In order to qualify for the NWC Tournament, the Bearcats will have to win both games against the Wildcats and Pacific Lutheran University must lose twice to University of Puget Sound. WU would win a three-way for fourth place with Linfield and PLU.

In Saturday's second game, Linfield built an 8-0 lead before Willamette scored four runs in the second inning. The Wildcats remained in front the entire game. Cheyenne Fletcher of Linfield belted three home runs during game two. Danielle Duman of Linfield hit one homer, her 14th of the season.

Prior to the first game, the Bearcats honored the team's six seniors: Absher, Hayley Glantz (Sr., P, Reno, NV/Robert McQueen HS), Jenna King (Sr., OF, Camarillo, CA/Adolfo Camarillo HS), Erin Norris (Sr., 3B/C, Salem, OR/South Salem HS), Kayla Rieger (Sr., 3B/OF, Anacortes, WA/Anacortes HS/Adelphi Univ.) and Heather Winslow (Sr., 1B, Oregon City, OR/Oregon City HS).

Ramirez went to the plate with one out in the bottom of the third in the opener. She walked and then stole second base while Ashley Pender (Jr., 2B, Reno, NV/North Valleys HS) batted. Pender moved Ramirez to third with a single up the middle. Pender was thrown out at second base when the ball returned to the infield. Absher drove in Ramirez with a single to right center.

Linfield threatened in the top of the fourth. Grace Middlestadt walked to open the stanza. She went to second on a sacrifice bunt by Erin Carson. Erin Kinney followed with a powerful shot to left field, but Danielle Saunders (Fr., LF, Salem, OR/McNary HS) caught the ball against the fence. Smith forced Fletcher in to a groundout to end the inning.

In the seventh inning, Kinney singled for the Wildcats with one out. Alex Andreotti pinch-ran and went to third on a double by Fletcher. McKenna Spieth hit into a fielder's choice toward shortstop, with Andreotti thrown out at the plate. Erin Tauscher grounded out to shortstop to end the game.

Willamette outhit Linfield, 7-3, in the opener. Absher was 2 for 2 with a walk. Five other Bearcats each registered one hit. Fletcher was 2 for 3 with a double for the Wildcats.

The second game began with a five-run first inning for Linfield. The first six Wildcats connected for singles, including a two-RBI base hit by Kinney to drive in the first two runs. Tauscher and Duman each earned one RBI.

In the second inning, the Wildcats tacked on three runs -- all on Fletcher's first home run of the game.

Willamette countered with four runs on five hits in the bottom of the inning to pull within 8-4. WU's first four batters hit singles, with Norris recording an RBI and Dunn driving in the second run. Norris eventually scored on a wild pitch. Later, Pender brought home the fourth run with a infield single to second base.

Linfield plated four runs in the fourth inning, including a solo home run by Fletcher. The Bearcats tallied two runs in the bottom of the inning. Winslow recorded one RBI with a double and later scored on a single by Ramirez.

Fletcher hit another solo home run in the fifth and the Wildcats added two runs in the sixth to achieve the final score. Linfield outhit WU 20-11 during the game.

For the Wildcats, Fletcher was 4 for 5 with four runs and five RBIs, while Duman was 4 for 4 with two runs and four RBIs. Carson finished 3 for 5 with two runs and an RBI.

Three Bearcats each recorded two hits. Norris was 2 for 3 with a run and one RBI. Ramirez and Bender both went 2 for 4 with an RBI.