By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director
HILLSBORO, Ore. -- Willamette University built a 7-0 lead in the first four innings on its way to an 8-3 win over Lewis & Clark College on Sunday, Feb. 7 at Ron Tonkin Field. The Bearcats upped thier record to 3-1 on the season, while L&C fell to 1-1.
Three WU players each recorded two hits. Austin Hagarty (Sr., 2B, Roseville, CA/Woodcreek HS) was 2 for 5 with a run and two RBIs. Mason Fessler (So., DH/3B, Woodburn, OR/Blanchet Catholic School) went 2 for 5 with a double, one run and one RBI. Eric Del Prado (So., 1B, El Segundo, CA/Loyola HS) was 2 for 4 and drove in one run. Kyle Paguio (Fr., 3B, Stevenson Ranch, CA/West Ranch HS) was 1 for 4 with a walk, a run and two RBIs.
Evan Giddings (Sr., RHP, El Cerrito, CA/St. Mary's HS), 1-0, picked up the win with three innings of relief. He pitched from the fourth inning through the sixth inning and allowed no runs and no hits.
The Bearcats scored four times in the top of the first inning. With one out, Perry Van Eckhardt (So., CF, El Cerrito, CA/El Cerrito HS) walked on a full-count pitch. Fessler moved Van Eckhardt to third with a ground-rule double to left field. A sacrifice bunt by Cole Pursell (Fr., C, Oceanside, CA/El Camino HS) was misplayed by pitcher Robert Reaser, allowing Pursell to reach first base while Van Eckhardt crossed the plate.
Tyler Janitz (Fr., SS, Modesto, CA/Joseph A. Gregori HS) batted next and received a walk. Del Prado was hit by a pitch. With two outs and the bases loaded, Paguio singled to center, driving in Pursell and Janitz. Del Prado and Paguio advanced to second and third, respectively, on the throw into the infield, but were left stranded following a groundout.
Three walks issued to Lewis & Clark in the bottom of the first loaded the bases with one out. Connor Eggleston then sent a low line-drive toward shortstop, where Janitz made the catch. Janitz tossed the ball to Hagarty at second base to complete the double play and end the inning before Tommy Massari could return to the bag.
Another double play by Willamette forced L&C to leave runners at first and second in the bottom of the second inning.
Willamette tacked on three runs in the fourth. Paguio walked to open the stanza. He moved to second on a groundout and scored on a single to right field by Hagarty. After Van Eckhardt walked, Fessler singled home Hagarty. Van Eckhardt advance to third on the play and scored on a sacrifice fly by Cole Pursell.
L&C cut the lead to 7-2 in its next at bat. Cooper Larson singled and Akira Abderrahman walked. Nick Lockwood was hit by a pitch, loading the bases. Cooper scored on a single by Max Haddad, while Abderrhaman crossed the plate on a sacrifice fly by Bradley Lezak.
Gidding, who entered the game against Lezak, struck out Ben Beck and caused Tommy Massari to hit into a fielder's choice for the third out.
Connor Bailey (Fr., OF, San Diego, CA/Scripps Ranch HS) reached base on an infield hit for Willamette with one out in the top of the seventh. He advanced to second when the throw from third went out of play. Bailey scored with two outs on a full-count single to right field by Hagarty, increasing WU's advantage to 8-2.
The Pioneers scored once in the bottom of the eighth. Larson hit a double to center field with one out. Abderrahman singled down the left field line, before pinch-hitter Spencer Gutterman drove in Larson with a single to center. Back-to-back fly outs to Bailey in left field ended the inning.
Willamette finished with a 10-7 lead in total hits. The Bearcats did not commit an error, while L&C was charged with two miscues.
Larson led the Pioneers on offense by going 2 for 4 with a double and two run runs scored. Abderrahman was 1 for 2 with a run and two walks. L&C starting pitcher Robert Reaser took the loss after allowing four runs and three hits in three innings.
The Bearcats will play four games in Southern California next weekend.
On Friday, Feb. 12, WU will take on Claremont-Mudd-Scripps in one game at 2:30 p.m. (PST). The Bearcats will play Occidental College in a doubleheader on Saturday, Feb. 13 starting at 11 a.m., followed by one game against the Tigers on Sunday at 12 p.m. All three games with Occidental will be played in Eagle Rock.
