Willamette Splits Doubleheader with Lewis & Clark to Open Four-Game Series

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director

SALEM, Ore. -- Reanna Lancaster (Fr., LHP, Los Altos, CA/Mountain View HS) and Jade Smith (Jr., RHP, Chico, CA/Chico HS) combined to pitch a three-hitter, and Alex Shields (Jr., C, Lake Forest, CA/El Toro HS) drove in two runs, as Willamette University downed Lewis & Clark College, 3-1, in the second game of a doubleheader on Saturday, April 2 at the WU Softball Field. L&C rallied from a 5-0 deficit after three innings to win the first game, 8-5.

The victory in the second game advanced Willamette's season record to 13-8, including 8-7 in the Nortwest Conference. Lewis & Clark ended the day at 12-17 overall, 6-11 in the NWC. The Bearcats and the Pioneers will complete the series with another doubleheader on Sunday, April 3, starting at 12 p.m. (PDT).

Ashley Pender (Sr., 2B, Reno, NV/North Valleys HS) and Victoria Bradshaw (Sr., OF, Discovery Bay, CA/Liberty HS) each smacked a home run for Willamette in the opener. Ateisha Norton of L&C also belted a home run in the first game.

Pioneers Take Advantage of Errors in Game 1

Willamette surged out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning of the opener and added a run in the third inning for a 5-0 lead.

Pender, the first batter for the Bearcats, sent the fourth pitch she faced over the fence in left field. Kathryn Moore (So., 3B, Reno, NV/Robert McQueen HS) walked, before Danielle Saunders (So., LF, Salem, OR/McNary HS) popped out on a bunt. Alex Shields (Jr., C, Lake Forest, CA/El Toro HS) hit a single through the left side, and then Bradshaw powered a three-run homer to center field.

Shields singled between shortstop and third with one out in the bottom of the third inning. She advanced to second on a walk issued to Bradshaw. Both runners moved up a base on a single by Mallory Asaro (Jr., SS, Rocklin, CA/Rocklin HS). Shields scored on a wild pitch. Bradshaw and Asaro also advanced, but were left on base after back-to-back ground outs toward third.

L&C scored its first run in the fourth inning. Emily Drevdahl and Jenai Rojo both singled to start the stanza. One out later, the runners went to second and third on a double-steal. A fielding error at third on the double-steal allowed Drevdahl to score and Rojo to reach third. Norton flied into a double play as Bradshaw made the catch in right field and threw out Rojo at the plate.

The Pioneers plated seven runs in the top of the fifth to take control. Brooke Koran opened the inning by reaching first on a dropped line drive at third base. Singles by Tiana Rosario and Lindsay Yearman allowed pinch-runner Zoe Juarez to score. Later, with two outs and WU leading 5-4, Rojo reached base when a throw from third was dropped at first. Stephanie Garcia scored on the play.

Hannah Dal Pra batted next and hit a double to left. Norton followed with a three-run homer to center field.

L&C outhit Willamette 9-7 during the game. Drevdahl, Dal Pra and Rosario each recorded two hits. Shields went 2 for 2 for Willamette and scored twice.

Sarah Reyes, the third of four pitchers for the Pioneers, improved to 1-2 with the win. Makayla Hari (Jr., RHP, Salem, OR/Blanchet Catholic HS) pitched the final 2 1/3 innings for WU and fell to 1-2.

Lancaster, Smith and Shields Lead WU in Game 2

The pitching of Lancaster and Smith held L&C in check for six of the seven innings in the second game. L&C's only run was scored in the top of the second when Rojo hit a leadoff single and pinch-runner Holly Hale scored later on a sacrifice fly by Koran.

Overall, the Pioneers had just four base runners on three singles and a walk. Lancaster, who pitched the first four innings, upped her record to 6-1 with the win. Smith tossed the final three frames and picked up her first save.

Willamette took a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Pender was hit by a pitch. She stole second base and went to third on an infield signle toward shorstop by Moore. After Moore stole second, Saunders walked to load the bases. Shields drove in Pender with a sacrifice fly to center. A ground out and another fly out ended the threat.

After L&C tied the score in the second inning, the game remained 1-1 until the bottom of the fourth. With one out, Elaine Norcia (So., 1B, Santa Ynez, CA/Santa Ynez Valley HS) singled near the shortstop. Norcia stole second base, and reached third with two outs on a passed ball. Alexia Pratt (Jr., OF, Roseville, CA/Woodcreek HS) sent Norcia across the plate with an infield single.

Doubles by Pender and Shields led to Willamette scoring an insurance run in the fifth inning. Juarez singled for L&C with two outs in the top of the seventh, but Koran fouled out to left field on a nice catch by Saunders to end the game.

Shields was 1 for 2 for Willamette with two RBIs. Pratt finished 2 for 2 and earned one RBI. Norcia went 2 for 2 and scored one run.