Willamette Battles but Falls 6-3, 5-4 at Southwestern

GEORGETOWN, Texas — Willamette University (2-4) faced Southwestern University (8-4) in a doubleheader on Friday at Taylor-Sanders Field, resulting in two close losses: 6-3 in the first game and 5-4 in the second.

In the first game, Willamette's offense was highlighted by a two-run second inning. L. Stube homered to center field, and K. Angel delivered an RBI double to bring home J. Hopkins, giving the Bearcats an early 2-0 advantage. However, Southwestern seized control in the third inning, capitalizing on two errors by Willamette to score three runs, including a two-RBI double from S. Ytuarte, turning the deficit into a 3-2 lead. The pressure continued as Southwestern added three more runs in the fourth inning, highlighted by a two-RBI double from C. Collier, extending its lead to 6-2.

Despite their earlier success, Willamette's opportunities were limited in the following innings, with key chances slipping away and runners left on base in the third and sixth innings. In the seventh inning, the Bearcats showed resilience when E. Elliott singled and later scored on a groundout by M. Atkins, narrowing the gap to 6-3, but the late rally fell short.

M. Petersen pitched a complete game for Willamette, allowing seven hits and six runs (four earned), while striking out one and walking one, bringing their record to 2-1. On the other hand, S. Ytuarte delivered a complete game for Southwestern, allowing seven hits and three earned runs, striking out one and walking three, improving to 2-2 on the season.

In the second game, Willamette rallied in the seventh inning with two runs to tie the game at 3-3, but Southwestern responded with two runs in the eighth to secure the win. Willamette collected 10 hits, including a double, while Southwestern capitalized on three walks and a hit batter in their eight-hit performance.

Willamette's comeback effort began in the fifth inning when M. Fleischma doubled down the left field line, driving in G. Clower. The team continued to apply pressure in the seventh, with E. Elliott's sacrifice fly and M. Petersen's RBI single tying the game. However, a defensive miscue in the eighth allowed the go-ahead run for Southwestern to cross the plate, followed by a single that brought in an insurance run.

M. Filger recorded three hits and one RBI for Willamette while pitching a complete game with seven innings and three strikeouts, but took the loss with a 5-4 decision. Petersen added two hits and one RBI, displaying effectiveness in clutch situations, while Fleischma contributed two hits, including a double, and drove in one run. For Southwestern, M. Heyer pitched seven innings with eight hits and three runs, while K. Dees secured the win with a scoreless inning in relief.

The Bearcats hold an overall record of 2-4, while Southwestern improves to 8-4.