Pacific Edges Bearcats in Pair of NWC Games, 3-1 and 6-5

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

FOREST GROVE, Ore. -- Willamette University battled one of the top teams in the Northwest Conference for the second day in a row, but Pacific University edged out the Bearcats for a pair of victories, 3-1 and 6-5, on Sunday, March 29 at Sherman/Larkins Stadium.

On Saturday, WU split a doubleheader with NWC leader George Fox University, winning 3-2 in eight innings before losing 10-9. The split dropped GFU into a tie for first place with Whitworth University. On Sunday, Pacific's wins improved the Boxers to 20-10 overall, 10-6 (3rd place) in the NWC. Willamette fell to 7-17 on the season, 4-10 in the NWC.

In the first game, Pacific broke a 1-1 tie by scoring two unearned runs in the fifth inning. In the second game, Willamette almost rallied from a 6-0 deficit after one inning, ultimately cutting the lead to 6-5 on a two-run homer by Ashley Pender (Jr., 2B, Reno, NV/North Valleys HS) in the top of the seventh, before ending the game with runners at first and second.

The opener was a pitchers' duel between Willamette's Jade Smith (So., P, Chico, CA/Chico HS) and Marissa Reichard of Pacific, as both tossed complete games.

Smith threw six innings and allowed nine hits, while recording one strikeout and allowing no walks. Reichard went seven innings and gave up five hits and three walks with no strikeouts. Reichard moved to 10-4, while Smith dropped to 5-6.

Willamette grabbed a 1-0 lead in the third inning of the first game.

Danielle Saunders (Fr., OF, Salem, OR/McNary HS) walked and Jenna King (Sr., RF, Camarillo, CA/Adolfo Camarillo HS) reached base on a fielding error at third base. Following an infield fly, Myranda Ramirez (So., CF, Sunnyvale, CA/Homestead HS) provided an RBI double to left center. Saunders scored, but King was thrown out at the plate.

Pacific tied the game with a run in the bottom of the third. Rachel Roberts hit a bunt single with one out, and then stole second base. Jessica Hotaling singled toward the circle to move Roberts to third. After Hotaling stole second and Ashley Mitchell grounded out, Roberts scored on a single by Kylee Oshiro.

The Bearcats committed two errors in the fifth. Roberts opened the stanza with a single through the right side. Hotaling reached base on a fielding error at third base. Mitchell hit a fielder's that loaded the bases. Roberts was thrown out at home when Oshiro hit into a fielder's choice at shortstop.

A fielding error at third allowed Kylee Yamamoto to go to first base, as Hotaling scored. After Megan Winans flied out, Kaitlyn Shikada hit an RBI single, as Mitchell scored on the play. A popup ended the inning.

Pender singled to start the sixth inning for WU, but Kayla Rieger (Sr., 3B/OF, Anacortes, WA/Anacortes HS/Adelphi Univ.) lined into a double play, before Amanda Absher (Sr., DP/C, Elk Grove, CA/Franklin HS) grounded out.

Erin Norris (Sr., 3B/C, Salem, OR/South Salem HS) walked with one out in the top of the seventh, but was thrown out at second when Saunders hit into a fielder's choice. King grounded out to shortstop to end the game.

Pacific's six-run first inning in game two included three hits and one error. Roberts singled up the middle, Reichard walked and Mitchell flied out to start the inning. After Oshiro walked to load the bases, Yamamoto hit an RBI single and Margaret Bachmeier provided a sacrifice fly.

The scoring outburst by the Boxers also included a two-RBI single by Shikada. The final two runs scored on a fielding error and a passed ball.

Despite the early deficit, the Bearcats gradually gained strength. WU outhit Pacific 9-3 the rest of the way and 10-6 overall. Starting pitcher Hayley Glantz (Sr., Reno, NV/Robert McQueen HS) recovered to toss a complete-game six-hitter, as she held Pacific scoreless for the next five innings.

WU began its comeback in the second inning. Rieger hit an infield single and stole second, before King reached base on an error. Mallory Asaro (So., SS, Rocklin, CA/Rocklin HS) hit into a fielder's choice, as Reiger scored and King was out at second.

The Bearcats reduced the margin to 6-3 in the top of the fifth. Absher drove in both runs with a double to center field. Heather Winslow (Sr., 1B, Oregon City, OR/Oregon City HS) and Ramirez scored on the play.

Ramirez doubled with one out in the top of the seventh. Pender followed with her two-run homer to left field. It was Pender's first home run of the season.

Absher popped up for the second out, but Rieger was hit by a pitch and King reached base on an error by the shortstop. Hotaling, who pitched the second game for Pacific, got Norris to hit a grounder to second base for the final out. Hotaling improved to 6-4.

For Willamette, Ramirez was 3 for 4 in the second game and went 4 for 7 overall with three doubles, two runs and an RBI. King was 3 for 7 on the day, while Pender finished 2 for 6 and Winslow was 2 for 7. Yamamoto was 3 of 3 for Pacific in game two. Roberts, Oshiro and Shikada each went 2 for 3 in the first game.

The Bearcats will return to action on Friday, April 3, when they are scheduled to host Pacific Lutheran University in a doubleheader at WU Softball Field starting at 12 p.m. (PDT). Willamette will remain at home on Saturday, April 4 for two games against University of Puget Sound, with first pitch set for 12 p.m.