By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director
SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University's offense plated five runs in one inning during each game against University of Puget Sound on Sunday, Feb. 28 at the WU Softball Field. The huge innings for the Bearcats helped Willamette pull away from the Loggers, 8-3 and 8-2, in Northwest Conference action.
The Bearcats improved to 4-0 on the season and to 4-0 in the Northwest Conference. Puget Sound dropped to 0-8 overall, 0-4 in the NWC.
For the Bearcats, Jade Smith (Jr., P, Chico, CA/Chico HS) improved to 3-0 with the pitching win in the first game. Freshman pitcher Reanna Lancaster (Los Altos, CA/Mountain View HS) of WU picked up her first collegiate win in the second game after relieving Smith in the third inning. Makayla Hari (Jr., P, Salem, OR/Blanchet Catholic HS) pitched the final three innings for her first save.
In the opening game, Kayla Andrus of UPS and Danielle Saunders (So., LF, Salem, OR/McNary HS) of WU each belted a home run. Ashley Pender (Sr., 2B, Reno, NV/North Valleys HS) of Willamette hit a triple in the second game.
Late Surge Leads to Win for Bearcats in First Game
The afternoon began with four consecutive scoreless innings, but Puget Sound took a 1-0 lead with an unearned run in the top of the fifth.
Erica Gott reached base on a fielder's choice, went to second on a single by Kayla Andrus and moved to third on a two-out walk by Jessica Gott. Erica Gott scored when Amber Popovich hit into an error by the pitcher.
Willamette surged in front with a trio of runs in the bottom of the fifth. Steffany Dunn (Jr., SS, Colfax, CA/Colfax HS) singled toward shortstop with one out, and then stole second base. She went home on a two-out double down the left field line by Promise Burnett (Fr., CF, Oakland, CA/Bishop O'Dowd HS). Saunders followed with a two-run homer, as WU gained a 3-1 lead.
Five runs in the sixth inning expanded the Bearcats' advantage to 8-1. Willamette achieved four hits during the stanza, including doubles by Elaine Norcia (So., DH/1B, Santa Ynez, CA/Santa Ynez Valley HS), Kathryn Moore (So., 3B, Reno, NV/Robert McQueen HS) and Saunders. Norcia drove in the first run, while Moore and Saunders each brought in two runs.
In addition, Mallory Asaro (Jr., SS, Rocklin, CA/Rocklin HS) earned a single and Victoria Bradshaw (Sr., P, Discovery Bay, CA/Liberty HS) received a walk.
Puget Sound tallied the game's final two runs in the top of the seventh. Erica Gott was hit by a pitch to open the inning. Andrus batted next and hit a two-run homer. The Loggers added a single two outs later, but couldn't sustain a rally.
Saunders was 3 for 4 with four RBIs and one run scored for Willamette. Moore went 2 for 3 with a run and two RBIs. Jessica Gott led the Loggers by going 3 for 3.
Bearcats Take Command Early in Second Game
Willamette zoomed out to a 7-0 lead after two innings in the second game.
The Bearcats scored twice in the bottom of the first. Saunders began the inning with a single to rigth field and eventually scored on an errant throw by the catcher when Ashley Pender (Sr., 2B, Reno, NV/North Valleys HS) stole second base later in the inning. Pender went to third on the play and reached home on a groundout by Burnett.
Saunders belted an RBI single to right center to drive in the first two of Willamette's five runs in the second inning. Moore added another RBI single, while Pender brought home one run with a triple to center field, and Burnett provided an RBI single down the left field line.
Each team scored in the fifth inning. UPS recorded two runs, with both scoring on a single to left center by Amanda Fehr. Willamette tacked on one run in the bottom of the inning, as Saunders crossed the plate on a double by Pender.
For WU, Saunders was 3 for 4 with three runs, a walk and an RBI. Moore was 2 for 4 with a run and an RBI, while Pender finished 2 for 3 with two runs and two RBIs. Puget Sound batters Andrus, Mckenna Johnson and Haley Gray each earned two hits.
During the doubleheader, Saunders went 6 for 8 with four runs and six RBIs.
Up Next for Willamette
Willamette will take on Linfield College in a four-game NWC series next weekend. The Bearcats and the Wildcats are scheduled to play doubleheaders on Saturday, March 5 and Sunday, March 6. First pitch is set for 12 p.m. (PST) each day.
