Watilo Improves to 8-2 with a Two-Hitter; Second Game is Canceled
SALEM, ORE. -- The Willamette University softball team scored five runs in the first inning against the University of Puget Sound on Sunday, March 27 at the WU Softball Field. The offensive surge started the Bearcats on their way to an 8-0, run-rule victory over the Loggers in five innings.
The second game of the doubleheader was canceled due to the weather and wet grounds. No make-up date has been determined.
WU advanced its record to 8-11 overall, 5-6 in the Northwest Conference. Puget Sound dropped to 7-16 overall, 5-8 in the NWC.
Willamette collected five hits and took advantage of two errors during the big first inning. Courtney Galli (So., SS, Rocklin, CA/Rocklin HS) provided a two-RBI single during the inning to lead the Bearcats.
Also in the first inning, Susie Krewer (Jr., LF/2B, Sacramento, CA/Mira Loma HS) and Allison Martin (Fr., C/OF, Thousand Oaks, CA/Westlake HS) each contributed one RBI on a base hit. One run scored on an error.
The Bearcats maintained their 5-0 advantage until the bottom of the fifth, when WU scored three more times to win on the run rule.
Galil and Martin walked to start the fifth inning. Suzannah Von Trapp (Jr., 3B, Salem, OR/South Salem HS) singled to left field to send Galli across the plate. Martin was thrown out attempting to reach third on the play, while Von Trapp advanced to second. Sierra Lessel (Jr., CF, Eugene, OR/Churchill HS) drove in Von Trapp with a single, increasing the lead to 7-0.
Lessel stole second and Mica Romero (Jr., SS, Woodland, CA/Woodland Christian School) walked. The Loggers recorded the second out on a fly ball before Nichole Robertson (Jr., RF, Elk Grove, CA/Franklin HS/Cosumnes River Coll.) walked to load the bases. Krewer was hit by a pitch, forcing Lessel across the plate and putting the run rule into effect.
Alex Watilo (Jr., RHP, Newcastle, CA/Del Oro HS) pitched all five innings for the Bearcats. She allowed only two hits, registered two strikeouts and did not allow a walk.
Watilo is now 8-2 on the season. She has earned five wins in the past week, including three during WU's Spring Break trip to California. UPS starter Elayna Van Hess dropped to 0-2 with the loss.
Lessel was 2 for 4 with a run and an RBI for Willamette. Martin went 2 for 2 with a walk and an RBI. Krewer also went 2 for 2, while Robertson received three walks and scored once.
Van Hess and Joleen Monfiletto had the two hits for Puget Sound. Van Hess belted a double in the second inning for the only extra-base hit of the game.
The Bearcats will play again on Thursday, March 31 in a rescheduled doubleheader with George Fox University that was rained out earlier this season. First pitch in Newberg, Ore., is set for 12 p.m. (PDT).
