By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

PANAMA CITY, FLA. -- Willamette University lost to Cortland State (N.Y.) in the semifinal round of the Silver Bracket, 9-1, on the run rule in five innings, but edged out the University of St. Thomas (Minn.), 2-1, in the third place game, during the final day of the NFCA Division III Leadoff Classic on Sunday, March 14. WU went 4-2 at the tournament, as the Bearcats moved to 11-3 on the season.

Cortland State scored seven runs in the first inning of the Silver Bracket semifinal game. The Red Dragons registered seven hits and took advantage of two errors during the inning. Only three of the runs were earned.

Willamette scored their only run of the game in the third inning. Nichole Robertson (So., OF, Elk Grove, CA/Franklin HS) walked to open the inning. She eventually scored on an RBI single by Barry.

Following the loss, the Bearcats played in their final game of the tournament with third place in the silver bracket at stake.

Bri Compton (Jr., Kalispell, MT/Wenatchee Community College) pitched a gem in the circle for WU. Compton pitched a complete a game, four-hitter for the Bearcats.

All three runs in the the third place game were scored on home runs. St. Thomas took a 1-0 lead when Sydney Marquardt sent a solo home run to right field with two outs in the sixth inning. With one out in the top of the seventh, Compton blasted a solo home run to right field to tie the game for Willamette. One out later, Talissa Huntsman (So., Util., Richland, WA/Richland HS) smacked a solo shot to right center to give the Bearcats the lead.

In the bottom of the seventh, Kaylyn Korth of St. Thomas hit a ground-rule double with one out. Kimmy Hassel was hit by a pitch, leaving the Tommies with runners at first and second. Willamette ended the game with an unassisted double play, as Suzannah Von Trapp (So., 3B, Salem, OR/South Salem HS) caught a line drive by Rachel Tondryk, then tagged out pinch-runner Alyssa Dunrud, who was advancing toward third base.

Defensively, Willamette did not make an error during the game. Compton is now 5-0 this season in the circle for the Bearcats.

Willamette will return to the Pacific Northwest to face Pacific University on Saturday, March 20 in Forest Grove, Ore. The two teams will play a doubleheader on both Saturday and Sunday. Pacific is currently 9-5 overall and 4-0 in the NWC.