By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University's Ryan Whithorn (Grad., 2B, Claremont, CA/The Webb School/Chaffey College) went 2 for 4 with a double and home run, and the Bearcats broke a 3-3 tie with two runs in the seventh inning on their way to a 9-4 victory over Corban University at John Lewis Field on Tuesday, March 22. Whithorn belted a double in the third inning and smacked a solo home run in the sixth. He also walked and scored a run in the fifth inning.
Willamette upped its record to 12-8 on the season, while Corban slipped to 12-14-1. The Bearcats have won six games in a row and seven of their last eight contests.
Five Willamette pitchers limited Corban to seven hits -- all singles. Dawson Enright (Grad., RHP, San Diego, CA/James Madison HS), Matt Pisacane (Sr., RHP, San Diego, CA/San Dieguito HS), Pruitt Spritzer (Jr., RHP, Missouri City, TX/Strake Jesuit College Prep), and Will Braaton (Jr., RHP, Highlands Ranch, CO (Thunderridge HS) each tossed two innings, while Logan Haslam (So., RHP, San Ramon, CA/California HS) pitched in the top of the ninth. Braaton, 1-0, was the pitcher of record when WU took the lead for good in the bottom of the seventh.
The Warriors relied on seven pitchers. Jaren Childs, who pitched in the seventh inning, gave up two runs and fell to 0-2 with the loss.
Neither team scored during the first four-and-a-half innings, but Willamette took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the fifth.
Whithorn walked to start the frame and moved to second on a single through the left side by Luke Werkmeister-Martin (Jr., 1B, Louisville, CO/Monarch HS). Trey Topping (Fy., C, Valencia, CA/West Ranch HS) loaded the bases when he reached first on catcher's interference. Whithorn scored on a wild pitch. After Ethan Fischel (Sr., SS, Eureka, CA/Eureka HS) walked to reload the bases, Layton Wagner (Jr., RHP/UT, Boise, ID/Timberline HS) drove in Werkmeister-Martin with a single up the middle.
Corban tied the game at 2-2 in the top of the sixth. With one out and the bases loaded, Morgan Hostetler brought home Kairos Torres-Umi with a sacrifice fly to center field. The inning ended when Chris Grayson was thrown out 1-4-3 while stealing second. Brad Pellkofer scored from third base before WU recorded the out.
The Bearcats moved back in front 3-2 on Whithorn's homer to left field with one out in the bottom of the sixth. The Warriors tied the game when Dillon Mickalson singled to open the seventh inning, went to second on a sacrifice bunt by Emilio Davila, and scored on a two-out single down the right field line by Aidan Bunn. Braaton caused Nainoa Ka'ahanui to fly out to shortstop to end the inning.
In the bottom of the seventh, Fitchel was hit by a pitch. Two out later, he scored from second on a throwing error after a single to shortstop by Tyler Vandemark (Grad., OF, Modesto, CA/Joseph A. Gregori HS). Drew Baskin (Fy., INF, Eagle, ID/Arroyo Grande HS), who pinch-ran for Vandemark, went to second on a wild pitch. Daly walked, and then Jonny Suchor (Jr., INF, Boulder, CO/Boulder HS) hit an RBI single up the middle.
Willamette plated four runs in the bottom of the eighth for a 9-3 lead. The big play of the inning occurred when Jeff Hoffman (So., 3B, Salida, CA/Joseph A. Grigori HS) hit a 3-run double down the right field line. Two batters later, Samuel Daly (Jr., OF, El Dorado Hills, CA/Jesuit HS) smacked a double to center field to bring home Hoffman.
Mickalson of Corban singled and later scored in the top of the ninth. With no outs, Ryan Clay at first and Davila at third, Bunn hit into a 5-3 double play that began with Hoffman tagging out Davila near third base. A fly out to left field ended the game.
Whithorn's double, homer, and two runs scored led Willamette on offense. Werkmeister-Martin, Hoffman, and Daly each hit a double and matched Whithorn by going 2 for 4 at the plate, while Suchor went 2 for 2. Hoffman led all players with three RBIs, while Fischel was 1 for 2, earned two walks, and scored twice. WU outhit the Warriors, 14-7.
For Corban, Grayson was 2 of 3, Michalson went 2 of 4, and Torres-Umi was 2 for 5. Michalson led the Warriors with two runs scored.
The Bearcats will play a four-game series at Whitman College on Saturday, March 26 and Sunday, March 27. On Saturday, the Bearcats and the Blues will open the series with a doubleheader starting at 12 p.m. The teams will play another doubleheader on Sunday starting at 12 p.m. The first three games will be Northwest Conference match-ups.