By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
McMINNVILLE, Ore. -- Willamette University and Linfield University split a Northwest Conference doubleheader on Saturday, April 15 at Roy Helser Field, as the Bearcats won the first game 9-6 and the Wildcats took the second game 3-1.The Bearcats ended the afternoon with a 20-11 overall record, including 15-9 in the NWC. Linfield moved to 12-24 overall, 8-16 in the NWC.
In the opener, Jeff Hoffman (Jr., 3B, Salida, CA/Joseph A. Grigori HS) of Willamette belted a solo home run for his eighth homer of the season, while Drew Baskin (So., 2B, Eagle, ID/Arroyo Grande HS) smacked an RBI triple. Seven Bearcats earned at least one RBI in the win. The second game was a pitchers' duel with neither team scoring in the first seven innings. WU grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the eighth. Linfield won the game on a three-run homer by Danny Kahn with one out in the bottom of the ninth.
Hoffman, Baskin, Verespey Lead Bearcats in Win
The big hits by Hoffman and Baskin led the way in the first game, while Steven Verespey (Fy., RHP, San Ramon, CA/California HS) pitched 6 1/3 innings to get the win after allowing just two runs. WU scored three runs in the second inning and kept the lead.
Hoffman was hit by a pitch to open Willamette's second frame. One out later, Baskin tripled to right field, sending Hoffman around the bases for a 1-0 lead. Baskin scored when Layton Wagner (Sr., RHP/INF, Boise, ID/Timberline HS) grounded out. Jackson Garrett (Jr., UT, Carlsbad, CA/Carlsbad HS/Palomar College) singled, went to second on a wild pitch, and scored on a single by Joshua Murphy (Jr., C, Everett, WA/Cascade HS/Olympic College).
WU tacked on a run in the top of the fourth for a 4-0 lead. Jonny Suchor (Sr., OF, Boulder, CO/Boulder HS) walked, stole second, went to third on a sacrifice bunt by Baskin, and scored on a sacrifice fly by Wagner. In the bottom of the fourth, Tyler Marr singled and Kahn doubled. Cameron Skinner brought Marr home with a sacrifice fly. Hoffman blasted his solo homer to left field in the sixth, as Willamette claimed a 5-1 advantage.
Two runs in the top of the seventh expanded the Bearcats lead to 7-1. Garrett singled and Murphy belted a double to start the stanza. Rocco Granucci (So., OF, San Diego, CA/Scripps Ranch HS) hit a single to drive in Garrett. Murphy scored on a groundout by Carl Lawson (Jr., RF, Whittier, CA/Lutheran HS/Cal Poly Pomona).
The Bearcats led 9-2 entering the bottom of the ninth, but Linfield plated four runs to get closer. After the Wildcats cut the margin to 9-5 and had runners at second and third with one out, Dylan Turner (Fy., RHP, Dallas, TX/Wilson HS) went to the mound. A groundout brought in Linfield's fourth run of the inning, but a strikeout followed to end the threat.
Garrett went 3 of 4 for the Bearcats with two runs and an RBI. Hoffman and Suchor each finished 2 of 4 with two runs scored. Hoffman also added two RBIs. Murphy was 2 of 4 with a double, a run scored, and an RBI, while Granucci was 2 of 4 with an RBI. Skinner went 3 of 4 with two RBIs for Linfield.
Pitchers' Duel is Won by Linfield in Ninth Inning
In the second game, the pitchers for both teams were featured. EJ McGrew (Fy., LHP, Oakland, CA/St. Mary's College Prep) started for WU and did not allow a run in 4 1/3 innings pitched, while striking out four batters. Ben Kowalski (Jr., RHP, Louisville, CO/Monarch HS) went to the mound with the bases loaded and one out in the fifth, but got out of the inning without a run crossing the plate. Kowalski tossed 2 1/3 innings overall. For Linfield, starter Casey Struckmeier tossed 6 1/3 innings while allowing no runs and four hits. Gavin Ludlow allowed just one run and two hits over the final 2 2/3 innings.
Willamette broke a scoreless tie in the top of the eighth. Granucci was hit by a pitch and Larson provided a bunt single toward third base. A sacrifice bunt by Ethan Fischel (Grad., SS, Eureka, CA/Eureka HS) advanced the runners to second and third. After Hoffman was intentionally walked, Suchor drove in Granucci with an RBI groundout to the shortstop.
With one out in the bottom of the ninth inning, Linfield's Jake Hoskins doubled near the right field line. Marr was hit by a pitch and Jesse Lopez entered the game as a pinch-runner. Kahn sent a three-run homer over the fence in right field to give the Wildcats a 3-2 win.
Hoskins and Marr each finished 3 of 4 for Linfield. Lawson and Baskin both went 2 of 4 for the Bearcats. Ludlow advanced to 2-3 with the pitching win, while Logan Haslam (Jr., RHP, San Ramon, CA/California HS) fell to 2-3 with the loss.
Up Next for the Bearcats
Willamette has qualified for the 2023 Northwest Conference Baseball Tournament, scheduled for Friday, April 21 through Sunday, April 22 at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon. The Bearcats will be the #2 seed or the #3 seed, and will take on Lewis & Clark College in the first round. L&C still has a game to be played against George Fox University on Sunday, April 16. If the Pioneers win, they will tie Willamette for second place. If L&C loses to GFU, Willamette will have outright possession of second place.
