Bearcats Split with Northwest Christian, Earning a 7-1 Win before a 6-1 Loss

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

SPRINGFIELD, Ore. -- Willamette University won the first game of a doubleheader against Northwest Christian University, 7-1, on Sunday, Feb. 16 at the Les Schwab Sports Complex. In the second game, the Beacons downed the Bearcats, 6-1, to split the pair of games. The Bearcats, who compete in NCAA Division III and the Northwest Conference, ended the day with a 1-2 overall record. NW Christian, which is a member of the NAIA and the Cascade Collegiate Conference, moved to 3-7 on the season.

In the opener, Willamette first-year Head Coach Paige Hall picked up her first win with the Bearcats. Pitcher Ashley Medina (Fy, San Ysidro, CA/Otay Ranch HS) earned a complete-game win, while throwing a three-hitter. Willamette registered six hits during the game, with one hit from each the first six batters in the lineup.

NW Christian took the second game, as Jordan Kuykendall and Alexa Berry each hit a double for the Beacons. Peyton Poler scored two runs, while five different Beacons each picked up one RBI. For Willamette, Brianna Majors (Fy, SS/2B, San Diego, CA/Cathedral Catholic HS) was 2 of 4 with a double and one RBI. Jocelyn Glasgo (Sr., P/OF, Rochester, WA/Tumwater HS) went 1 of 4 with a double and a run scored.

Medina's Pitching Helps Bearcats Win First Game

Led by Medina's strong pitching performance, which included seven strikeouts and just two walks, the Bearcats rolled to victory in the opener. The Beacons were limited to two singles and one extra-base hit, a double by Miranda Jensen. Willamette's six hits included a triple by Brianna Majors (Fy, SS/2B, San Diego, CA/Cathedral Catholic HS) and a double by Payten Healy (So., SS, Crescent City, CA/Del Norte HS).

The Bearcats took a quick 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Glasgo batted first, and singled to center field. She stole second base and went to third when the catcher's throw was wild. Glasgo scored two outs later, when Healy belted a double. Bailey Hillmick (Jr., DP/UT, Athena, OR/Weston-McEwen HS) followed with an RBI single through the right side to drive Healy across the plate.

With Medina holding Northwest Christian to only one hit over the first four innings, the Bearcats were able to maintain their two-run lead. The margin doubled to 4-0 in the top of the fifth. Kea Gier (Sr., 3B, Kaneohe, HI/Iolani School) walked with one out and advanced to second on a wild pitch. One out later, Geir scored on the triple by Majors.

NW Christian moved within 4-1 in the bottom of the fifth. Krystal Akagi singled up the middle, stole second, took third base on a ground out, and scored on Jensen's double.

Willamette tallied the final three runs of the game. In the sixth, Healy walked, stole second base, moved to third on an errant throw by the catcher, and scored on a single by Kendra Knapp (Fy, OF, Portland, OR (Sunset HS). The Bearcats scored twice in the seventh, as Majors provided a sacrifice fly that was caught by the second baseman, and Marykate DeLuca (Fy, C, San Diego, CA/San Diego International Studies) added an RBI single.

Glasgo and Majors Smack Doubles in Second Game

Although three NCU pitchers combined to limit the Bearcats to three hits in the second game, two of the hits were doubles by Glasgo and Majors. Glasgo's double was earned in the very first at bat of the game. Majors followed with a single to send Glasgo across the plate for a 1-0 lead. Later in the inning, Majors was joined by Healy, who received a walk. Both runners stole a base, but a strikeout and a pop-up ended the threat.

The Beacons moved in front 2-1 in the bottom of the first. Poler and Jensen received consecutive walks with no out. Later, Poler scored on a sacrifice fly by Tra Kucera, while Jensen reached home at the end of the play on an error by the catcher.

Northwest Christian upped its advantage to 4-1 in the third inning. Victoria Lasker walked to start the frame, before stealing second and advancing to third on a passed ball. Poler walked to put runners at the corners. Laker scored on a ground out by Jensen, while Poler scored two batters later when Noel Balderston hit into a double play.

In the sixth inning, the Beacons tacked on two runs. Balderston singled with one out. She then stole second base. Kuykendall belted an RBI double to score Balderston. One out later, with Kuykendall at third base, Berry hit a run-scoring double.

Up Next for Willamette

The Bearcats will play two games against Warner Pacific University on Monday, Feb. 17 at Rex Putnam High School in Milwaukie, Oregon. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. (PST). The doubleheader was originally scheduled to be played on Saturday, Feb. 15, but the games were postponed due to the weather.