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

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University earned a pair of run-rule victories over University of Puget Sound in Northwest Conference softball action on Saturday, April 4. The Bearcats won the first game 8-0 in five innings after building a 5-0 lead in their first at bat. In the second game, WU scored six times in the fourth inning for a 7-0 lead, and won 9-0 in six innings.

The wins improved the Bearcats to 11-17 on the season, 8-10 in the NWC. The Loggers dropped to 4-26 overall, 1-17 in the NWC.

WU pounded out 13 hits in the first game, including five in the first inning.

Heather Winslow (Sr., 1B, Oregon City, OR/Oregon City HS) reached on catcher's interference to open the first stanza. She stole second, and went to third on a single by Myranda Ramirez (So., CF, Sunnyvale, CA/Homestead HS). Pender grounded out to drive in Winslow.

Amanda Absher (Sr., C, Elk Grove, CA/Franklin HS) added an RBI single and later scored on a double-steal. Steffany Dunn (So., INF, Colfax, CA/Colfax HS) hit an RBI single and Alex Shields (So., C, Lake Forest, CA/El Toro HS) pounded an RBI double to complete the big inning.

Winslow (Sr., 1B, Oregon City, OR/Oregon City HS) smacked a solo home run to start the second stanza, giving the Bearcats a 6-0 advantage. Willamette added one run in the third inning and two in the fourth on its way to the run-rule win in five innings.

Winslow was 2 for 2 in the opener with two runs and two RBIs. Absher and Shields also finished 2 for 2. Jenna King (Sr., OF, Camarillo, CA/Adolfo Camarillo HS) went 2 for 3 with a triple, two runs and an RBI.

Jade Smith (So., P, Chico, CA/Chico HS) tossed the first three innings and improved to 8-6 on the season. Victoria Bradshaw (Jr., P, Discovery Bay, CA/Liberty HS) allowed a total of two hits over the next two innings and recorded her first save of the year. Bradshaw struck out three Loggers.

In the second game, WU took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first when King provided an RBI single in front of home plate. Pender, who walked earlier in the inning, scored on the play.

The Bearcats maintained their slim advantage until the bottom of the fourth, when they pulled away from the Loggers. The offensive outburst featured five hits, including a two-run triple by Rieger.

With one out in the fourth, Erin Norris (Sr., 3B/C, Salem, OR/South Salem HS) walked. Carrie Fox (Fr., LF, Dupont, WA/Steilacoom HS) hit a bunt single toward second base. With two outs, Ramirez singled through the right side and went to second on the throw, as Norris scored. Pender blasted a two-run double to center to keep the rally going.

Absher walked and Pender stole third before Rieger tripled off the first pitch she faced. Absher and Pender scored. Rieger crossed the plate with the sixth run of the inning on a single by King up the middle.

WU clinched the run-rule win by scoring once in the sixth after Pender walked with one out. Pender went to third on a single to right by Absher, who reached second on the throw. Pender scored when Rieger grounded out to first base.

Rieger was 2 for 3 in the game with one run and three RBIs. King went 2 for 3 and drove in two runs.

Hayley Glantz (Sr., P, Reno, NV/Robert McQueen HS) pitched all six innings in the second game. She allowed just five hits, struck out one batter, and did not give up a walk.

Willamette has now won 10 of its last 14 games, including eight of its last 11. The Bearcats will play again on Wednesday, April 8, when Willamette travels to Parkland, Washington, to play a doubleheader of make-up games against Pacific Lutheran University. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. (PDT). The games were rained out on March 15.