TACOMA, WASH. -- Willamette University scored three runs in the second inning and four runs in the fifth inning, as the Bearcats overcame an early 2-0 deficit to defeat the University of Puget Sound, 8-4, in the third game of their Northwest Conference weekend series. WU evened its overall record at 12-12, while improving to 7-8 in the NWC. Puget Sound fell to 10-13-1 on the season, 9-6 in the NWC.
Right-handed pitcher Jarrid Summers (So., Boise, ID/Boise HS) struck out six batters and allowed just two runs, while pitching the final seven innings for Willamette. Summers, who moved to 4-2 on the season, gave up only four hits and no walks.
UPS took a 2-0 lead with two outs in the bottom of the first inning, when Joe Newland hit a two-run homer to left field. It was Newland's eighth homer of the season, which leads the NWC.
Willamette immediately anwered with three runs of its own in the top of the second inning. Matt Rasmussen (Sr., SS, Sandy, UT/Bingham HS) singled to start the rally, then moved to second when Colin Young (Jr., OF, Portland, OR/Lincoln HS) walked. David Tufo (So., 3B, San Bruno, CA/Burlingame HS) followed with a sacrifice bunt. A throwing error on the play allowed Rasmussen and Young to score, while Tufo wound up at third base. Catcher Dan Maslanik (So., Boulder, CO/Fairview HS) batted next and drove in Tufo with a single.
The Bearcats remained in front 3-2 until the top of the fifth, when they exploded for four more runs. With one out, Sean Anderson (Jr., CF, Klamath Falls, OR/Klamath Union HS) doubled down the right field line. He scored later in the inning, when Rasmussen bunted into a fielder's choice with runners at first and third, but the Loggers were unable to record an out.
With two outs, Maslanik drove in Rasmussen and Grant Yamaguchi (Sr., 1B, Aiea, HI/Mid Pacific Institute) on a single through the left side. Ryan Peterson (Sr., 2B, Grangeville, ID/Grangeville HS) added an RBI single to complete the inning.
Young singled home Anderson with an unearned run in the sixth inning for an 8-2 lead. Anderson singled with one out, but reached second and third when Yamaguchi's ensuing infield ball was misplayed at first base. Puget Sound completed the scoring with one run in the bottom of the sixth and one run in the eighth. Tim Steggall, who was 3 for 3 with two runs and an RBI, hit a solo homer to score the eighth-inning run.
Maslanik finished the game 2 for 3 with three RBIs and two walks for Willamette. Young was 2 for 3 with two runs and an RBI, while Anderson went 2 for 4 and scored twice. Three Willamette pitchers limited the Loggers to just five hits, with Steggall recording three and Chris Dunbar and Michael Olsen earning one hit apiece.
Willamette is slated to play at Corban College on Tuesday, April 3. Game time on the Corban campus in Salem, Ore., is set for 4 p.m. (PDT).
Willamette University 8, University of Puget Sound 4 - Box Score
Matt Rasmussen scored twice against Puget Sound in Willamette's 8-4 win.
