Johnson Pitches Two-Hit Shutout as Bearcats Win 3-0 in First Game of Series

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

FOREST GROVE, Ore. -- Willamette University junior pitcher Jordyn Johnson (Winslow, AZ/Winslow HS) tossed a two-hit shutout and struck out eight batters to lead the Bearcats to a 3-0 win in the first game of a Northwest Conference softball doubleheader against Pacific University on Saturday, March 18 at Sherman/Larkins Stadium. In the second game, the teams played another pitchers' duel, with Lindsey Greenfield of Pacific throwing a two hitter in a 1-0 win for the Boxers.

With the doubleheader split, Willamette ended the day at 11-9 overall, 6-4 in the NWC, while Pacific moved to 4-12 on the season, 2-7 in the NWC. Willamette and Pacific will close out the four-game series with another doubleheader on Sunday, March 19. The twinbill will start at 10 a.m. (PDT), one hour earlier than originally scheduled due to concerns about the weather.

In the opener, WU outfielder Mia Lund (Jr., UT, Omaha, NE/Westside HS) belted a two-run homer to complete a 3-run fifth inning for the Bearcats. In the first inning of the second game, Samantha Petit of Pacific scored from second base on a fly ball to the outfield that was followed by an overthrow toward third.

"Our pitchers threw very well today," Willamette Head Softball Coach Paige Hall commented. "Jordyn reached 100 career strikeouts in the first game (she now has 106). Our defense kept us in both games. Unfortunately, our hitting just didn't show up. We are hoping for more offense tomorrow."

Johnson Pitches Shutout for Bearcats in Game 1

During Willamette's 3-0 win to open the doubleheader, five Bearcats each recorded one hit. Lund's homer led the way, while Faith Collar (So., P/UT, Portland, OR/Roosevelt HS) added a double. Alexandra Richards (So., OF, Bellevue, WA/Newport HS) hit a single, while Hannah Porter (Jr., UT, Chehalis, WA/Centralia HS) and Adele Benny (Jr., OF, Bee Cave, TX/Lake Travis HS) each provided WU with a pinch-hit single.

Neither team scored in the first four innings. In the top of the fifth, the Bearcats scored three runs. Emma Elliott (Fy., OF, Battle Ground, WA/Battle Ground HS) started the inning by reaching first base on an error. She moved to second on a groundout by Gianna Marchese (Grad., 3B/1B, Seattle, WA/Bishop Blanchet HS/St. Martin's Univ.), and went to third on a single by Richards. Elliott scored on a double-steal while Richards advanced to second. Lund smacked her two-run homer to give WU a 3-0 lead.

Johnson's strong performance in the circle was her first shutout and the team's fourth shutout of the season. In additon to striking out eight batters, she limited the Boxers to two singles and four walks. She threw 111 pitches for the complete-game win. Rylee Patton registered both hits for Pacific.

Erickson Belts a Double for WU in Game 2

The two hits for the Bearcats in the second game were both recorded by Cora Erickson (Jr., C, Issaquah, WA/Issaquah HS). One of Erickson's hits was a double.

Pacific pushed across the game's only run in the bottom of the first inning. Petit opened the inning with a single, then stole second base. She went to third when Alexus Carter flied out to right field. Petit scored after the throw from right field sailed over third base and she was allowed to advance to home plate.

Erickson doubled to start the top of the fifth and gave way to pinch-runner Sophia Lucio (So., RF, Martinez, CA/College Park HS). Porter sent Lucio to third with a sacrifice bunt, but Lucio was left on base following a popup to third and a flyout to left.

In the seventh inning, Collar was hit by a pitch as the first batter. She advanced to second on a groundout by Marchese. A single from Erickson moved Collar to third, and Erickson eventually went to second base without a throw. With two outs, Johnson walked to load the bases. Lund lined out to second base to end the game.

Greenfield tossed a complete-game shutout for Pacific. She struck out one batter and allowed two hits and four walks.