By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University softball players Cassie Cosler (Jr., 1B, Albany, OR/West Albany HS), Gianna Marchese (Jr., 3B, Seattle, WA/Bishop Blanchet HS/St. Martin's Univ.), and Kelsey Wong (Jr., UT, Honolulu, HI/Punahou School) each earned a hit in both games, but Whitworth University's pitchers limited the Bearcats to nine hits overall, as the Pirates won 8-0 and 11-2 on Saturday, May 1 at the WU Softball Field. The first game ended on the run rule in six innings, while the second game ended on the run rule in five innings.
Whitworth improved to 11-21 overall, 9-11 in the Northwest Conference. Willamette fell to 4-28 overall, 3-23 in the NWC.
The teams will complete the series with a doubleheader at the WU Softball Field on Sunday, May 2. First pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m. (PDT).
Cosler was 1 of 2 in each game. She earned both of Willamette's RBIs in the second game. Marchese finished the day 2 for 5 overall, with a run scored. Wong was 2 of 4 during the twinbill. Cosler and Marchese each belted a double in the second game.
The Pirates scored one run in the top of the first inning to start the opener. The run was scored with two outs on a homer to center field by Sarah Gayer. The score remained 1-0 through three innings.
In the fourth stanza, Whitworth tacked on three runs, then added a run in the fifth for a 5-0 lead. In the fourth, Heather Menzer hit a leadoff double and Rylee Gentner reached base on a single toward the circle. Both runners scored one out later on a triple down the left field line by Jessica Rusconi. Kalie Lowery added an RBI single later in the inning. Menser blasted a solo home run in the fifth.
Three runs in the sixth inning pushed the Pirates' lead to 8-0. All three runs scored on a home run by Maddy Thomas.
Whitworth pitcher Dea Schwaier-Wolf gave up a leadoff double to Shaye Mott (So., P/1B, Livermore, CA/Granada HS) to start the bottom of the sixth. Kyrstin Calleja (Fy., OF, Gilbert, AZ/Gilbert HS) pinch-ran for Mott. One out later, Marley Nicassio (Sr./Jr., UT, Sacramento, CA/Mira Loma HS/Holy Names Univ.) pinch-hit for Wong and received a walk. Wong re-entered for Nicassio at first base. Marchese batted next and hit a line drive that was caught by the shortstop, who made an unassisted double play.
Four Pirates registered two hits apiece in the first game. Gayer, Thomas and Menzer each hit a home run. Thomas led all players with three RBIs. Schwaier-Wolf struck out four batters while advancing to 5-8 on the season. Mott struck out seven batters, but took the loss for Willamette.
In the second game, Whitworth scored a run in the first stanza and plated six runs in the second inning. The Pirates recorded six hits during the second frame, including a 2-RBI double by Brynn Radke and a 2-run homer by Thomas. Willamette countered with two runs in the bottom of the second to pull within 7-2. Kendra Knapp (So., OF, Portland, OR/Sunset HS) walked to open the inning. Marchese drove Knapp to third with a double to left center. Cosler followed with another double, to bring home Knapp and Marchese.
After Cosler's 2-run double, relief pitcher Kylie Harris went to the circle for the Pirates. She earned a strikeout and then forced two flyouts to end the inning.
Whitworth earned one run in the fourth inning and three runs in the fifth. Menzer drove in the run in the fourth on a fielder's choice. In the fifth, Radke hit an RBI single and Gayer connected on a 2-run homer.
Gayer went 3 of 4 in the second game with a double, a homer, three runs and three RBIs. Lowery was 3 of 4, scored three runs, and earned one RBI. Radke and Thomas each drove in three runs.
