Davis Pitches a Shutout, Bearcats Sweep Southwestern (Texas), 11-3 and 7-0

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

GEORGETOWN, Texas -- Willamette University sophomore pitcher Kenna Davis (So., Alameda, CA/Alameda HS) threw a complete-game, seven-inning shutout as the Bearcats defeated Southwestern University (Texas), 7-0, in the second game of a doubleheader on Sunday, Feb. 19. Davis struck out five batters and held the Pirates to just four hits. In the first game, Willamette won 11-3 on the run rule in five innings, as Abigail Loomis (Fy., P/OF, Canby, OR/Canby HS) limited Southwestern to five hits. Loomis recorded seven strikeouts and did not allow a walk.

The Bearcats ended the doubleheader with a 5-3 record. Southwestern slipped to 2-6 on the season. Davis improved to 3-1 for Willamette with the win, while Loomis moved to 1-0. WU's offense also contributed throughout the doubleheader.

In the first game, Mia Lund (Jr., UT, Omaha, NE/Westside HS) blasted a two-run homer and an RBI double. Joining Lund with two hits during the game were Cora Erickson (Jr., C, Issaquah, WA/Issaquah HS), Brianna Majors (Sr., SS/2B, San Diego, CA/Cathedral Catholic HS), and Faith Collar (So., P/UT, Portland, OR/Roosevelt HS). Seven of Willamette's 12 hits went for extra bases.

During the second game, Kendra Knapp (Jr., OF, Portland, OR/Sunset HS) smacked a solo homer as the second batter in the first inning. Marykate DeLuca (Sr., C, San Diego, CA/San Diego International Studies) belted a two run homer in the seventh.

"I was proud to see timely hitting to support our great pitching," Willamette Head Softball Coach Paige Hall said. "Kenna Davis has really stepped up for us in the circle, shutting teams out, which has been awesome to see."

Loomis Strikes Out Seven Batters in 11-3 Win

Loomis' seven strikeouts from the circle prevented Southwestern from establishing very much offense in the first game. And Loomis received plenty of help from the Bearcats on offense.

Willamette recorded four hits in the first inning to score three runs -- all with two outs. DeLuca doubled to start the rally, and Major followed with a single, sending DeLuca to third. Major stole second and DeLuca scored on the play. Knapp added an RBI double to drive home Majors. Collar batted next and singled, which brought Knapp across the plate.

Southwestern battled back with two runs in the bottom of the first. Alex Fletes hit a leadoff single and Kathryn Dull connected for a double with one out. Samantha Saenz hit a two-run single with two outs that allowed Fletes and Dull to score. A popup by Brooke Yanta ended the threat. The Pirates did not score again until the bottom of the fifth.

In between, Willamette tacked on six runs in the fourth and plated two runs in the fifth. The Bearcats earned five hits in the fourth inning, including RBI doubles by Lund, Erickson, and Gianna Marchese (Grad., 3B/1B, Seattle, WA/Bishop Blanchet HS/St. Martin's Univ.). Collar added an RBI single and Majors hit a single.

During the fifth inning, Adele Benny (Jr., OF, Bee Cave, TX/Lake Travis HS) hit a leadoff double and Lund pounded a two-run homer for an 11-2 lead. In the bottom of the fifth, Erica Otto singled to right and advanced to second and third on an error. With two outs, Fletes scored on a single by Dull. Loomis struck out Brianna Gonzalez to end the game.

Knapp, DeLuca Smack Homers in 7-0 Victory

The second game was highlighted by Davis' shutout pitching and the home runs by Knapp and DeLuca. Including the 7-0 win, Davis has a 1.08 earned run average this season with 19 strikeouts in 26 innings.

Knapp's solo home run with one out in the top of the first inning put the Bearcats in front for good. In the third stanza, WU increased its advantage to 5-0 after scoring four runs on two hits and three errors. Lund hit into a two-run fielder's choice that did not lead to an out, but did allow Benny and Julia Koorn (Jr., 1B/3B, Purmerend, Netherlands) to score. Knapp and DeLuca singled, with the hit by DeLuca sending Lund across the plate. Knapp scored when Majors reached base on an error by the shortstop.

DeLuca completed the scoring with her two-run homer in the top of the seventh. Knapp, who reached first base on an error, also scored on the play. In the bottom of the seventh, Gonzales doubled to left center to start the frame, but Davis forced a strikeout and two groundouts to preserve the shutout.

For the doubleheader, Knapp was 3 of 5 for the Bearcats with five runs, two RBIs, and two walks. DeLuca finished 3 of 6 to go along with two runs and three RBIs. Collar went 3 of 7 and provided five RBIs while scoring three runs. Collar was 3 of 7 and contributed one run and three RBIs. For Southwestern, Dull registered two hits in the first game and Gonzales was credited with two hits in the second game.