By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director
PARKLAND, Wash. -- Willamette University and Pacific Lutheran University split a Northwest Conference doubleheader on Saturday, March 26 at PLU Field. The Bearcats won the first game, 4-1, while the Lutes prevailed in the second game, 4-3. In game two, WU tied the score in the top of the seventh, before PLU registered the winning run with one out in the bottom of the inning.
The Bearcats concluded the day with a 10-5 overall record, including 6-4 in the NWC. Pacific Lutheran moved to 15-7 on the season, 7-5 in the NWC.
For Willamette, Alex Shields (Jr., C, Lake Forest, CA/El Toro HS) was 6 for 7 during the doubleheader, including 4 for 4 in the second game. She hit a total of three doubles. Ashley Pender (Sr., 2B, Reno, NV/North Valleys HS) finished the two games 3 for 7 with two doubles.
Smith Limits Lutes to Three Hits in Five Innings
In the opener, Jade Smith (Jr., RHP, Chico, CA/Chico HS) pitched five scoreless innings and allowed only three hits. She registered two strikeouts and allowed two walks. Smith improved to 5-3 on the season. Reanna Lancaster (Fr., LHP, Los Altos, CA/Mountain View HS) and Makayla Hari (Jr., RHP, Salem, OR/Blanchet Catholic HS) each threw one inning. Hari recorded her third save.
The Bearcats plated two runs in the first inning and one run in the second. In the first, Danielle Saunders (So., LF, Salem, OR/McNary HS) reached base with two outs on an error at shortstop. Saunders advanced to second on a stolen base and scored on a single by Shields. Shields went to second on the throw to the plate, and then scored when Victoria Bradshaw (Sr., OF, Discovery Bay, CA/Liberty HS) singled to left center.
Steffany Dunn (Jr., SS, Colfax, CA/Colfax HS) sent a single through the left side to start the second inning. Dunn stole second base. One out later, with runners at second and third, Dunn scored on a sacrifice fly by Pender.
In the fifth inning, WU earned two singles and one batter was hit by a pitch, but the Bearcats left the bases loaded. In the sixth, Dunn was hit by a pitch with one out, and then stole second base. She crossed the plate with two outs on a single by Lancaster.
Nichole Schroeder of Pacific Lutheran belted a solo home run with two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning, but the Lutes were unable to keep the rally going.
Hari escaped a jam in the seventh after an infield single by Alison Behrends loaded the bases with one outs. Hari forced Jessica Alcomendas to hit the ball toward first, allowing Kaylin Bullert (Fr., 3B, Red Bluff, CA/Enterprise HS) to throw out Jessica Wallace at the plate. Emily McConnell grounded out to first base to end the game.
Pacific Lutheran Wins Game 2 in Seventh Inning
Willamette rallied from deficits of 2-0 and 3-2 in the second game, but the Lutes scored the final run to claim a 4-3 win.
The Lutes struck early with a two-run homer by Schroeder with one out in the first inning. It was Schroeder's fourth home run of the season. Behrends, who walked to start the inning and went to second on a sacrifice bunt, also scored on the play.
Willamette equalized quickly, plating two runs in the top of the second. Shields hit a single and Bradshaw walked to start the inning. The runners each moved up a base when Promise Burnett (Fr., C, Oakland, CA/Bishop O'Dowd HS) hit a grounder for the second out. Shields and Bradshaw scored when Dunn hit into an error by the shortstop.
Kathryn Hatlen of PLU singled with one out in the third inning and eventually scored on a single by Wallace. The Lutes held a 3-2 lead until Willamette's final trip to the plate.
Pender began the rally by smacking a double down the left field line with one out in the top of the seventh. With two outs, Saunders was hit by a pitch. Sheilds batted next and sent a double to right center to drive in Pender. WU still had runners at second and third, but PLU pitcher Elli Rassbach forced Bradshaw to ground out.
In the bottom of the seventh, Behrends received a leadoff walk. Becca Sorensen used a sacrifice bunt to move Behrends to second base. Schroeder singled down the right field line, allowing Behrends to reach home plate with the winning run.
Rassbach improved to 9-3 with the win. She pitched all seven innings and gave up eight hits plus four walks. Smith, who went to the circle with one out in the second inning, pitched five innings and fell to 5-4 with the loss.
Schroeder of PLU went 2 for 3 with three RBIs in the second game. She finished the doubleheader 3 for 7 with two runs, four RBIs and two homers.
Up Next for Willamette
The Bearcats will play four make-up games against NWC opponent Whitworth University on Monday, March 28 and Tuesday, March 29. The Bearcats and the Pirates will play two games each day at WU Softball Field, with Monday's doubleheader staring at 1 p.m. (PDT) and Tuesday's action getting underway at 12 p.m.
