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

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University's softball team will take on Pacific Lutheran University in a doubleheader of make-up games on Wednesday, April 7 in Parkland, Washington. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. (PDT). Both games were originally set for March 15, but were rained out.

The Bearcats lead the season series with the Lutes, 2-0, after winning a pair of run-rule games on Friday, April 3. Willamette downed Pacific Lutheran 9-1 in five innings in the opener at the WU Softball Field, before taking the second game 15-7 in six innings.

During last Friday's doubleheader, Ashley Pender (Jr., 2B, Reno, NV/North Valleys HS) and Heather Winslow (Sr., 1B, Oregon City, OR/Oregon City HS) each went 4 for 6 with a double at the plate. Pender scored three runs and earned four RBIs, while Winslow crossed the plate five times and had two RBIs.

Myranda Ramirez (So., CF, Sunnyvale, CA/Homestead HS) batted .625 (5 of 8) with a double, five runs and five RBIs, while Amanda Absher (Sr., C, Elk Grove, CA/Franklin HS) hit .571 by going 4 for 7 with three doubles,, a run and four RBIs. The Bearcats hit .473 as team and scored 24 runs, while pounding out seven doubles.

Willamette hit just one homer during the two games, but it was a grand slam by Kayla Rieger (Sr., 3B/OF, Anacortes, WA/Anacortes HS/Adelphi Univ.) in the fifth inning of the first game. In the two games, Rieger was 3 for 6 with two runs and five RBIs.

Pitcher Jade Smith (So., P, Chico, CA/Chico HS) earned the win in both games, after throwing all five innings in the opener and tossing the final 2 2/3 innings in the second game. She allowed just seven hits and one run in 7 2/3 innings overall. She added a win against University of Puget Sound on Saturday and was named NWC Softball Pitcher Student-Athlete of the Week.

Pacific Lutheran's offense produced a .313 batting average against the Bearcats, as the Lutes scored eight runs and managed three extra-base hits.

Elli Rassbach (Fr., INF/P) led the Lutes by hitting .750 (3 of 4) with a double and two RBIs. Gracen Malich (Fr., C) was 2 for 3, while Tori Hamura (Sr., INF) was 3 for 5 with a double and three RBIs. Crysti Snyder (Fr., INF) finished 2 for 4, scored two runs and achieved one RBI.

The Lutes struggled in the circle, as PLU recorded a 13.03 team earned run average with 18 earned runs allowed in 9 2/3 innings. Marissa Miller (Fr., P) and Leah Butters (Sr., P) each suffered one loss. PLU pitchers struck out seven Bearcats, but gave up seven walks and hit five batters.

Ramirez continues to lead the Bearcats and the Northwest Conference with a .534 batting average (39 of 73) for the season. She has scored 23 runs and recorded 19 RBIs. Winslow is batting .397 and is tied with Ramiriez for first on the team with 23 runs scored. Pender follows with a .390 average and a team-high 22 RBIs.

For the season, Pacific Lutheran's top hitter is Hamura with a .340 batting average (17 of 50). Hamura also leads the Lutes with six doubles. Rassbach is hitting .333 (16 of 48) with 10 RBIs.

After playing the Lutes, Willamette will return home to take on Lewis & Clark College this weekend. The Bearcats will play the Pioneers in two doubleheaders, set for Saturday, April 11 and Sunday, April 12. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m. (PDT) each day.