By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
McMINNVILLE, Ore. -- Willamette University scored four runs in the third inning and Drew Baskin (So., 2B, Eagle, ID/Arroyo Grande HS) belted a solo home run in the top of the ninth for a 6-2 lead, but Linfield University scored five runs in the bottom of the ninth to defeat the Bearcats, 7-6, on Friday, April 14 at Roy Helser Field. The rivalry game ended with Willamette's record at 19-10 overall and 14-8 in the NWC. Linfield improved to 11-23 overall, 7-15 in the NWC.
Friday's game opened a three-game series between the nearby rivals. The series will conclude with a doubleheader starting at 12 p.m. (PDT) on Saturday, April 15.
WU starter Layton Wagner (Sr., RHP/INF, Boise, ID/Timberline HS) pitched six strong innings as he allowed one run on eight hits. He struck out six batters and gave up two walks. Logan Haslam (Jr., RHP, San Ramon, CA/California HS) pitched in the seventh and eighth innings. Haslam struck out two batters, with Linfield scoring one run on three hits and a walk.
The Bearcats kept control for the first eight innings. In the top of the first, Rocco Granucci (So., OF, San Diego, CA/Scripps Ranch HS) received a leadoff walk. He advanced to second on a wild pitch, reached third on a groundout by Carl Lawson (Jr., RF, Whittier, CA/Lutheran HS/Cal Poly Pomona) and scored on a sacrifice fly to right field by Jeff Hoffman (Jr., 3B, Salida, CA/Joseph A. Grigori HS).
Willamette's outburst in the third inning featured five hits and one hit batter. Granucci started the inning once again, this time with a single up the middle. He went to second base on a wild pitch and scored when Lawson belted a double down the right field line. Hoffman was hit by a pitch. After Luke Werkmeister-Martin (Sr., 1B, Louisville, CO/Monarch HS) flied out to center field, Jonny Suchor (Sr., OF, Boulder, CO/Boulder HS) pounded an RBI single into left field, as Lawson crossed the plate.
One out later, with Hoffman at second and Lawson at first, Wagner connected on a two-run double to right center, giving WU a 5-0 lead. Adam Birt (Fy., INF, Fremont, CA/Washington HS) singled to left, placing runners at first and third, but the inning ended when Ethan Dunnam (Sr., C, El Cajon, CA/Valhalla HS) flied out to right field.
The Wildcats plated one run in the bottom of the third inning. Garret Winger singled to open the frame and advanced to second on a groundout. With two outs, Ringer scored on a double down the left field line by Tyler Marr.
Both teams were kept off the scoreboard over the next three innings, but Linfield left the bases loaded in the fifth. With one out Branden Pasion walked before Jake Hoskins and Marr hit back-to-back singles to fill the bases. Wagner struck out Danny Kahn and forced Nick Holm to hit into a fielder's choice to end the inning.
A solo homer by Hoskins in the bottom of the seventh pulled Linfield within 5-2. Willamette had three runners left on base in the eighth despite a single by Adam Birt (Fy., INF, Fremont, CA/Washington HS) and a walk issued to Granucci. Even so, Baskin's solo homer to left center with two outs in the top of the ninth gave the Bearcats a 6-2 lead.
Linfield scored five runs in the bottom of the ninth. The Wildcats belted three doubles and a single to score two runs before Trent Wainfield swung at a third strike for the second out with WU leading 6-4. Bodey Smith walked to load the bases. Ringer hit a two-RBI single to right center to tie the game and Pasion singled to left to drive in Smith with the winning run.
Brain Mannion of Linfield gave up the homer to Baskin, but moved to 1-2 with the win. WU reliever Brady Joyner (Jr., RHP, Las Vegas, NV/Shadow Ridge HS) went to 1-1 with the loss.
For Willamette, Wagner was 2 for 5 at the plate with two doubles and two RBIs. Birt finished 2 of 4. Five other Bearcats each added one hit, including Baskin's homer and Lawson's double. For Linfield, Marr was 4 of 5 with two doubles, a run scored, and two RBIs. Hoskins was 3 of 5 with a single, a double, and a homer, plus two runs and an RBI. Ringer went 3 of 5 with a run and two RBIs.
