Mott Provides Two Hits in Each Game for Bearcats; Pioneers Sweep Twinbill

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Shaye Mott (So., P/1B, Livermore, CA/Granada HS) earned two hits in each game for Willamette University, but Lewis & Clark College swept a non-conference doubleheader against the Bearcats on Saturday, March 13 at the WU Softball Field. L&C won the first game, 15-2, on the run rule in five innings. The Pioneers outscored the Bearcats, 9-5, in the second game.

Lewis & Clark advanced its record to 3-2 for the season. Willamette fell to 1-5 overall.

Mott went 2 for 3 in the first game and 2 for 4 in the second game. In addition to finishing 4 of 7 for the doubleheader, she contributed a double, scored one run, and produced one RBI.

Brianna Majors (So., SS/2B, San Diego, CA/Cathedral Catholic HS) pounded out a double in both games. She was 1 for 3 in each contest, with a run scored in the opener, and a run and two RBIs in the second game. Sophia Lucio (Fy., OF, Martinez, CA/College Park HS) went 2 of 4 with a run scored for WU in Game #2.

In the opener, Braylin Jenson was 3 of 5 with a run and four RBIs for Lewis & Clark, while Samantha Gildersleeve blasted a solo home run for the Pioneers. In the second game, L&C batters Lily Moffitt and Kami Merrill each went 2 for 4 with two runs scored. Moffitt, Alyssa Abe, and Kalea Kaui each registered two RBIs.

Lewis & Clark took charge of the first game with six runs in the second inning and two runs in the third. The Pioneers took advantage of four hits and two Willamette errors in the second inning. Gildersleeve began the inning with a solo home run to center field. Later, Jenson hit a 2-run double, and Moffitt brought in two runs with a single to left. Moffitt scored the final run of the inning on a sacrifice bunt by Olivia Brackin.

In the third, Mari Alvarez hit an RBI single and Jenson brought in a run with an infield single. The Pioneers threatened to increase their lead in the top of the fourth after Sydney Cross doubled to start the frame. Cross was later thrown out at the plate for the second out of the inning when Cassidy Crusberg hit into a fielder's choice with runners at first and third. A groundout ended the threat.

Willamette picked up its first run in the bottom of the fourth to pull within 8-1. Mott singled with one out and advanced to third on a single by DeLuca with two outs. A fielding error by the first baseman allowed Mott to score while Adele Benny (So., OF, Bee Cave, TX/Lake Travis HS) reached base.

The Pioneers scored seven runs in the top of the fifth. The Bearcats plated a run in the bottom of the fifth, as Majors doubled, went to third on a wild pitch, and scored on a single by Gianna Marchese (Jr., 3B/1B, Seattle, WA/Bishop Blanchet HS/St. Martin's Univ.).

L&C relief pitcher Cassidy Crusberg, who pitched the third and fourth innings, picked up the win and improved to 1-0. Mott fell to 0-3 with the loss.

Willamette grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first inning of the second game. With two outs, Majors was hit by a pitch and then advanced to second on a wild pitch. Mott drove in Majors with a single down the left field line.

The Pioneers surged in front 3-1 by scoring three times in the top of the third. Kalea Kaui sent two runs across the plate with a double to left center. Kaui registered the third run on a sacrifice fly by Jenson.

WU cut the margin to one run in the third stanza. Cassie Cosler (Jr., 1B, Albany, OR/West Albany HS) blasted a leadoff double, and Kyrstin Calleja (Fy., OF, Gilbert, AZ/Gilbert HS) pinch-ran. Calleja reached third and scored on a throwing error after the third baseman caught a foul ball hit by Hannah Porter (So., UT, Chehalis, WA/Centralia HS).

Four runs in the fourth extended L&C's advantage to 7-2. The key hit of the inning was a 2-RBI double by Moffitt. Marchese crossed the plate for the Bearcats in the bottom of the stanza, but the Pioneers plated two runs in the sixth for a 9-3 lead. Abe drove in both runs with a single.

The Bearcats added two runs in the bottom of the seventh, but were unable to continue the rally. Mia Lund (Fy., OF, Omaha, NE/Westside HS) and Lucio hit singles with two outs, and Majors drove in both runners with a double to left center. Mott popped up to shortstop to end the game.

Jane Wilson was the winning pitcher for Lewis & Clark. She moved to 2-1 after allowing three runs and five hits over the first four innings. Abe, who pitched the final three innings of the second game, earned her first save of the season. Abe also threw the first two innings of the first game.

Willamette's next games are set for Saturday, March 20 and Sunday, March 21 in Tacoma, Washington. The four-game Northwest Conference series will feature two doubleheaders. First pitch on Saturday is scheduled for 12 p.m. (PDT), with Sunday's action slated to begin at 11 a.m. (PDT).