Bearcats Rally from 5-0 Deficit to Win 9-6 and Split Doubleheader with PLU

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

CANBY, Ore. -- Willamette University rallied from a 5-0 deficit in the first inning to defeat Pacific Lutheran University 9-6 in the second game of a Northwest Conference softball doubleheader on Saturday, March 11 at the Canby High School Field. Pacific Lutheran won the first game 14-1 on the run rule in five innings. In the second game, the Bearcats scored one run in the fourth inning, seven runs in the fifth, and one run in the sixth for a 9-5 lead. PLU scored the game's final run in the top of the seventh.

The doubleheader split left Willamette with a 10-6 overall record, including 5-1 in the NWC. The Lutes ended the two games with a 13-5 record, including 5-1 in the NWC. The games were moved to Canby High School's artificial turf field due to wet grounds at the WU Softball Field. Willamette and Pacific Lutheran will complete the series with another doubleheader at the Canby High School Field on Sunday, March 12 starting at 11 a.m. (PDT).

Seven-Run Inning Propels Bearcats to 9-6 Win in Game 2

The big seven-run fifth inning keyed Willamette's comeback in the second game. WU trailed 5-1, but used seven hits and two errors to score the seven runs. With one out, Kendra Knapp (Jr., RF, Portland, OR/Sunset HS) brought in the first run with a single to shortstop, allowing Gianna Marchese (Grad., 3B/1B, Seattle, WA/Bishop Blanchet HS/St. Martin's Univ.) to score. Marykate DeLuca (Sr., C, San Diego, CA/San Diego International Studies) followed with an RBI single that sent Knapp to third, while Mia Lund (Jr., UT, Omaha, NE/Westside HS) crossed the plate. DeLuca went to second on an error in the outfield following the single.

Brianna Majors (Sr., SS/2B, San Diego, CA/Cathedral Catholic HS) added a two-run single up the middle, allowing Knapp and DeLuca to score. Majors advanced to third when Cora Erickson (Jr., C, Issaquah, WA/Issaquah HS) reached second base on a single that was misplayed in center field. Majors scored on a sacrifice fly by Faith Collar (So., P/UT, Portland, OR/Roosevelt HS). Emma Elliott (Fy., OF, Battle Ground, WA/Battle Ground HS) provided an RBI single and Marchese ended the offensive surge with an RBI double. WU led 8-5.

With the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the sixth, Knapp scored on a wild pitch. The Bearcats left three runners on base, but still had a four-run lead entering the final inning. In the top of the seventh, WU pitcher Abigail Loomis (Fy., P/OF, Canby, OR/Canby HS) allowed a leadoff double by Anna Foster, but shut down the next three batters. Arabella Perez pinch-ran for Anna Foster and scored two batters later after back-t0-back groundouts by Mari Foster and Casey Wright. Loomis struck out Erin McGrath to end the game. 

Loomis pitched all seven innings and improved to 3-0. The former Canby High School player earned the win on her former high school field. Loomis struck out nine batters and did not allow walk. Three of the Lutes' six runs were unearned.

Knapp led Willamette's offense by going 3 for 4 with a double, two runs, and an RBI. DeLuca and Erickson each went 2 for 3 with a run scored, while DeLuca added a double and an RBI. Lund was 2 of 4 with a double and one run scored. Marchese also hit a double for the Bearcats.

Kennedy Kila and Rylie Wada both were 2 of 3 for PLU. Kila hit a three-run homer to highlight the Lutes' first inning. Relief pitcher Amaya Smith fell to 1-2 with the loss.

PLU Pitcher Limits Willamette to Three Hits in Game 1

Pacific Lutheran pitcher Cassidy Conrad tossed all five innings in the first game and held the Bearcats to three hits and one run, as the Lutes gained a 14-1 win on the run rule. Conrad, now 6-1, struck out five batters and gave up one walk. WU starter Jordyn Johnson (Jr., P, Winslow, AZ/Winslow HS) allowed five runs and five hits, but only two of the runs were earned. She fell to 2-3 on the season.

The Lutes scored one run in the first inning, four runs in the second, and three in the third for a 8-0 lead. McGrath hit an RBI single in the opening stanza. In the second inning, Wada contributed an RBI single. Later in the inning, Wright blasted a three-run homer. During the third frame, one run scored on a fielder's choice with with the bases loaded and two runs crossed the plate on a single by Mari Foster.

Willamette recorded its only run in the bottom of the third. Adele Benny (Jr., OF, Bee Cave, TX/Lake Travis HS) opened the inning with a single toward third base. She went to second on a groundout by Lund and remained at second with two outs. Knapp scored on a single up the middle by DeLuca.

PLU tacked on one run in the fourth inning and score five times in the fifth to achieve the final score. The fifth inning outburst featured a two-run double by Mari Foster and a two-run double by Chaella Galapon. Foster was 2 of 4 with a run and four RBIs. Wright and Galapon each drove in three runs. McGrath, Paola Garcia, and Wada supplied the Lutes with two hits apiece. Willamette's hits were singles by DeLuca, Erickson, and Benny.