By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

REDLANDS, Calif. -- Willamette University and the University of Redlands split a high-scoring softball doubleheader on Thursday, March 24, as the teams combined to send 30 runs across the plate. Willamette won the first game 11-10 in eight innings. Redlands took the second game 5-4. WU moved to 8-13 overall, while Redlands ended the day at 10-9.

In the eighth inning of the opener, Adele Benny (Jr., OF, Bee Cave, TX/Lake Travis HS) scored on a wild pitch and Mia Lund (So., OF, Omaha, NE/Westside HS) scored on a double by Cassie Cosler (Sr., 1B, Albany, OR/West Albany HS) for an 11-9 lead, and the Bearcats held on. In game two, Tyeson Gordon of UR broke a 4-4 tie by belting a solo homer to start the bottom of the seventh.

The Bearcats received strong performances at the plate from several players. Lund was 4 of 8 on the day with two doubles, three runs, and two RBIs. She also stole three bases. Cosler was 2 of 4 in the first game with a homer, a double, one run, and four RBIs.

Marykate DeLuca (Jr., C, San Diego, CA/San Diego International Studies) went 4 for 7 overall with a home run, three runs scored, and two RBIs. Gianna Marchese (Sr., 3B, Seattle, WA/Bishop Blanchet HS/St. Martin's Univ.) also was 4 for 7 and registered a double. Brianna Majors (Jr., SS/2B, San Diego, CA/Cathedral Catholic HS) was 3 for 7 with a double and three runs. Jordyn Johnson (So., P, Winslow, AZ/Winslow HS), who pitched all eight innings in the opener, was 2 for 4 batting with a homer and two runs.

Players with four hits in the twinbill for Redlands were Collette Allen (4 for 8) and Gordon (4 for 8). Sierra Daley and Danielle Stallings each recorded two hits in the opener, while Alexis Campos and Kalyn Kershner earned two hits apiece in the second game.

Bearcats Prevail in Game 1 as Both Teams Earn 11 Hits

Willamette won the explosive opening game, 11-10, as each team finished with 11 hits. The game featured three homers and four doubles by the Bearcats, while the Bulldogs earned five doubles and two triples.

The Bearcats tallied a run in the top of the first inning on a two-out, solo home run by DeLuca to grab a 1-0 advantage. WU kept the lead until the bottom of the third, when Redlands plated four runs. Daley drove in two runs with a double, while Gordon smacked an RBI triple and Stallings added an RBI single.

WU regained the lead with four runs in the fifth, as the Bearcats utilized three hits, three errors, and a sacrifice fly. Benny reached base on an error by the shortstop and went to third on an infield single by Majors. Benny scored when Majors stole second and the catcher committed an error. Lund doubled to left center to drive in Majors. An error at third allowed Lund to score when DeLuca hit into a fielder's choice. Athena Vandyke (Fy., C/3B, Cornelius, OR/Glencoe HS) pinch-ran for DeLuca and scored on a sacrifice fly by Cosler.

Stallings hit an RBI double in the bottom of the fifth to tie the score at 5-5. Willamette moved back in front when Johnson singled to center to open the sixth inning and eventually scored on a sacrifice fly from Majors. The Bearcats extended their lead to 9-5 in the top of the seventh on a 2-run homer by Cosler and solo home by Johnson.

Redlands plated four runs in the bottom of the seventh to tie the game and force an extra inning. The Bulldogs pounded three RBI doubles to go along with a single during the inning. UR's doubles were by Daley, Gordon, and Kershner. The tying run was scored by Kershner as Ava Smith hit into an error at shortstop.

In the eighth inning, the team's used the international tie-breaker in which each half-inning begins with a runner at second. For WU, Benny was the runner. With one out, Lund walked. A wild pitch allowed Benny to reach third. Lund stole second base and the catcher committed an error on the throw, allowing Benny to score. After DeLuca walked, Cosler blasted a double to center field to bring home Lund for an 11-9 lead. A strikeout and a flyout ended the threat.

Isabella Culp began the bottom of the eighth at second. A popup and a strikeout brought the Bulldogs to their final out. Campos tripled down the right field line to bring Culp home. Daley grounded out to Johnson to end the game. Johnson, now 3-5, finished with seven strikeouts. Campos, who pitched in the eighth inning, fell to 0-1 with the loss.

Willamette Leads 4-1 in Second Game, but Bulldogs Rally for Win

The Bearcats led 2-0 after the top of the first inning in the second game and held a 4-1 edge after 3 1/2 innings. Redlands battled back with a run in the bottom of the fourth, two runs in the sixth, and Gordon's leadoff homer in the seventh.

Majors singled to right field to start the game, and Lund followed with a single to center field as Majors went to third. DeLuca brought Majors across the plate on a sacrifice fly to center. WU tacked on another run for a 3-0 lead when DeLuca opened the third inning with a single and later scored from third base on a single by Kelsey Wong (Sr., UT, Honolulu, HI/Punahou School).

Redlands cut the margin to 3-1 in the bottom of the third. With two outs, Daley walked and Gordon reached on an error at shortstop. Kershner hit a single to center to drive in Daley with an unearned run. Majors doubled for Willamette with one out in the top of the fourth and scored on a single through the right side by Lund.

Annabelle Gutierez doubled for Redlands to start the bottom of the fourth. She advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a passed ball. The Bulldogs tied the score at 4-4 with two runs in the sixth, as Allen belted a two-run homer with two outs. Gordon ended the game with her walk-off homer in the bottom of the seventh.

Kershner struck out six Bearcats and allowed four walks while pitching all seven innings for Redlands. Kenna Davis (Fy., 3B/SS/P, Alameda, CA/Alameda HS) threw a complete game for Willamette with two strikeouts and three walks. UR outhit the Bearcats, 10-9.

Up Next for the Bearcats

Willamette will play at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps in a doubleheader on Friday, March 25. First pitch is set for 12 p.m. (PDT) in Claremont, California.