Willamette Wins First Game, 9-2, L&C Takes Second Game, 5-1, in NWC Softball

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Jocelyn Glasgo (Fr., P/OF, Rochester, WA/Tumwater HS) went 4 for 4 with three RBIs, including a solo home-run, to lead Willamette University to a 9-2 victory over Lewis & Clark College in a Northwest Conference doubleheader at the Huston Sports Complex on Saturday, April 1. Pitcher Jade Smith (Sr., P, Chico, CA/Chico HS) allowed just seven hits and two runs, while recording two strikeouts and no walks.

Glasco did not pitch on Saturday, but was the Bearcats' designated player in both games. She went 1 for 2 and scored Willamette's run in the second game. She was 5 of 6 on the day. Glasgo leads the Bearcats with a .462 batting average this season.

Lewis & Clark scored five runs in the second inning of the second game, and the Pioneers went on to claim a 5-1 win.

Willamette concluded the twinbill with a 10-10 overall record, 8-6 in the NWC. Lewis & Clark moved to 4-19 overall, 4-15 in the NWC. The Bearcats are fourth in the conference standings.

The teams will play another NWC doubleheader on Sunday, April 2. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m. (PDT).

Bearcats Pound Out 15 Hits in First Game

Led by Glasgo's 4-for-4 effort, the Bearcats accumulated 15 hits in the opener. Alex Shields (Sr., C, Lake Forest, CA/El Toro HS) was 3 of 4 with an RBI for Willamette.

In addition, Steffany Dunn (Sr., RF, Colfax, CA/Colfax HS) of WU went 2 for 3 with two runs scored. Miki Takara (Fr., 2B, Pearl City, HI/Maryknoll HS) was 2 for 5 and had one RBI. Eight Bearcats earned at least one hit during the game.

Willamette took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning. Darian Gibson (So., LF, Newport Beach, CA/Calvary HS) received a leadoff walk and scored later in the inning on a sacrifice fly by Kea Gier (Fr., 3B, Kaneohe, HI/Iolani School). Payton Reynolds (Fr., UT, Reno, NV/Reno HS) also walked. Reynolds eventually reached home on a single by Alexia Pratt (Sr., CF, Roseville, CA/Woodcreek HS) with two outs.

Two singles and a sacrifice bunt allowed the Pioneers to set up a run in the bottom of the second. Emily Drevdahl, who opened the frame with a singe through the left side, scored on a ground out by Ashley Bolick.

The Bearcats took a 3-1 lead with one out in the third inning, when Glasgo smacked a solo homer to left center.

Willamette took charge of the game with four runs in the top of the fifth for a 7-1 advantage. The Bearcats registered three hitting during the inning. Dunn hit a leadoff single and stole second. Shields followed with an RBI single to right center and also stole second. Gibson and Reynolds walked to load the bases.

Shields was thrown out at home when Gier hit into a fielder's choice toward second.  Glasgo batted next, and provided a two-run single down the right field line. Reynolds and Gibson scored on the play. Gier reached home a bit later on an error by the shortstop.

L&C tallied one run in the bottom of the fifth to cut the lead to 7-2, but WU added one run in each of the last two innings. Mallory Asaro (Sr., SS, Rocklin, CA/Rocklin HS) drove in the run in the sixth on a ground out with runners at second and third. In the seventh, Miki Takara (Fr., 2B, Pearl City, HI/Maryknoll HS) hit an RBI single.

Jenai Rojo of Lewis & Clark was 3 for 3. Lisa Kumasaka was 2 of 4 with a run scored for the Pioneers.

Five-Run Inning Lead Pioneers to Win in Second Game

The Pioneers completed all of their scoring in the second game during a five-run second inning. The offensive surge was enough for L&C pitcher Kalin Rooney, who limited the Bearcats to six hits and one run.

Lewis & Clark amassed five hits and benefited from two errors in the second inning. Three of the five runs were earned.

With one out, Tiana Rosario singled down the left field line and Ariel Trinidad doubled to left center. Zoe Juarez followed with an RBI single through the left side. After Juarez stole second, Stephanie Garcia belted a two-run double to right center. Two errors and an RBI single by Kumasaka led to two more runs crossing the plate.

Willamette recorded its only run of the game in the top of the sixth. Glasgo connected for a single up the middle to start the stanza. Two outs later, Gier singled to center and advanced to second on the throw, as Glasgo reached third base. Pratt sent Glasgo across the plate with a single to left. Rooney forced Takara to ground out to end the threat.

Juarez was 2 for 2 at the plate for L&C. She scored one run and earned one RBI. Garcia was 2 for 3 with a double, a run and an RBI. For Willamette, Pratt was 2 of 3 with an RBI.

The win advanced Rooney's record to 3-7 on the season. Morgan Penn (Fr., P/1B, Beaverton, OR/Southridge HS), who started the game for WU, fell to 1-1 with the loss.