By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
SPRINGFIELD, Ore. -- Willamette University scored nine runs in the top of the eighth inning to break a 5-5 tie, as the Bearcats pulled away to defeat Bushnell University 14-5 on Wednesday, April 13 at Hamlin Sports Park. The Bearcats held leads of 4-0 and 5-1 before the Beacons tied the score with two runs in the sixth and two more in the seventh. Willamette regained control in the top of the eighth, scoring seven of the nine runs with two outs.
The Bearcats edged above the .500 mark with the win, as Willamette moved to 17-16 on the season, 2-0 against the Beacons. Bushnell dropped to 9-31 overall. The nine-inning game lasted four hours, including a 30-minute rain delay in the top of the seventh.
Layton Wagner (Jr., RHP/UT, Boise, ID/Timberline HS) topped Willamette's offensive chart by going 3 for 5 with a double, two runs, and four RBIs. Trey Topping (Fy., C, Valencia, CA/West Ranch HS) went 2 of 2 off the bench with a run scored and two RBIs. Luke Werkmeister-Martin (Jr., 1B, Louisville, CO/Monarch HS) finished 2 of 3 with a run and an RBI. Ryan Whithorn (Grad., 2B, Claremont, CA/The Webb School/Chaffey College) was 1 for 1 with a walk, a double, a run, and two RBIs ... all in the eighth inning.
Jacob Richardson topped Bushnell. He was 3 for 3 at the plate with one run and one RBI. Noah Montoya went 2 for 5 with a double, a run scored, and one RBI.
The Bearcats took a 3-0 lead on four hits in the third inning. With one out and Tyler Vandemark (Grad., OF, Modesto, CA/Joseph A. Gregori HS) at first base following a fielder's choice, Tassos Foster (So., INF, Novato, CA/Novato HS) singled to left. Wagner added a single up the middle to send Vandemark across the plate. Foster and Wagner each advanced one base on a passed ball. Foster scored on an infield single by Werkmeister-Martin, and Wagner scored on a single to left by Ethan Fischel (Sr., SS, Eureka, CA/Eureka HS).
Willamette tacked on one run in the fourth, as Jonny Suchor (Jr., INF/OF, Boulder, CO/Boulder HS) singled and later scored on a single by Wagner. Bushnell pulled within 4-1 in the fifth when Jacob Stoner scored on a sacrifice fly from Jacob Richardson. WU produced a run in the top of the sixth, with Samuel Daly (Jr., RF, El Dorado Hills, CA/Jesuit HS) hitting a single toward shortstop, Suchor adding a sacrifice bunt, Daly stealing third base, and Ethan Dunnam (Jr., C, El Cajon, CA/Valhalla HS) hitting an RBI single to center.
Bushnell eventually tied the score at 5-5 after Dylan Carson connected for a two-run single in the sixth, and Montoya and Kyle Casperson recorded RBI singles in the seventh.
The top of the eighth began with Jeff Hoffman (So., 3B, Salida, CA/Joseph A. Grigori HS) and Daly receiving walks. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch and then Whithorn earned a pinch-hit walk. Topping followed with a two-RBI single, as Hoffman and Daly scored. After the Bearcats hit back-to-back ground outs toward the pulled-in shortstop and second baseman, Wagner kept the inning going with a two-run double near the right field line.
Later, Hoffman drove in a run with his second walk of the inning, and then two runs were scored when Daly hit into a fielding error. Whithorn produced a double to drive in the final two runs. The Bearcats scored the nine runs on four hits -- including two doubles -- plus six walks, an error, and a wild pitch.
Will Ryan (Fy, RHP, Atherton, CA/Menlo-Atherton HS), who pitched the final two outs in the bottom of the seventh, moved to 1-0 with the win. He did not allow a hit or a run while earning one strikeout and allowing one walk. A total of seven WU pitchers combined to strike out 10 batters. Pruitt Spritzer (Jr., RHP, Missouri City, TX/Strake Jesuit College Prep) opened the game with two scoreless and hitless innings and led the Bearcats with four strikeouts. WU registered a 14-11 advantage in hits during the game.
The Bearcats will host #24-ranked Pomona-Pitzer (Calif.) in a doubleheader at John Lewis Field in Salem, Oregon, on Saturday, April 16. First pitch is set for 12 p.m. (PDT). The Bearcats and the Sagehens will complete the series with one game on Sunday, April 17 starting at 11 a.m.
