By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
SALEM, Ore. -- Strong pitching helped lead Willamette University to a pair of wins over Linfield University, 5-2 and 3-2, in a non-conference doubleheader at John Lewis Field on Saturday, March 6. Willamette starters Layton Wagner (So., INF/RHP, Boise, ID/Timberline HS) and Ben Whitten (Grad., RHP, Danville, CA/San Ramon Valley HS) each went six innings to record the wins. Matt Pisacane (Jr., RHP, San Diego, CA/San Dieguito HS) tossed the final three innings of the 9-inning opener and Brady Joyner (Fy., RHP/OF, Las Vegas, NV/Shadow Ridge HS) pitched the last three outs of the 7-inning second game to earn saves.
Wagner also contributed on offense in a big way during Willamette's win in the second game, as he stole home in the third inning to break a 2-2 tie. In the first game, Samuel Daly (So., OF, El Dorado Hills, CA/Jesuit HS) smacked a solo homer in the eighth inning for the game's final run. Daly was 2 of 4 in the opener and went 3 of 7 during the doubleheader.
The Bearcats and the Wildcats will conclude the series with a doubleheader on Saturday, March 7. First pitch is set for 11 a.m. (PST).
Both teams were kept off the scoreboard in the first inning of the opener, but the Bearcats took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second. After Daly reached base on a throwing error by the pitcher, Luke Werkmeister-Martin (So., UT, Louisville, CO/Monarch HS) and Tyler Vandemark (Sr., OF, Modesto, CA/Joseph A. Gregori HS) walked to load the bases. Daly scored when Jeff Hoffman (Fy., INF, Salida, CA/Joseph A. Grigori HS) hit into a 6-4-3 double play. Joey Faudskar (Grad., OF, Phoenix, AZ/Pinnacle HS) drove in Werkmeister-Martin with a triple to center field. Faudskar attempted to reach home on the play, but an accurate relay throw by shortstop Tanner Jacques allowed catcher Wyatt Smith to tag Faudskar at the plate.
Linfield tied the score at 2-2 in the top of the third. With two outs, the Wildcats received consecutive doubles from Garrett Moen, Jacques, and Mike LaVigne. The string of hits created the two runs.
Willamette moved back in front in the fourth inning. Werkmeister-Martin began the inning with a single and went to second on a throwing error from third base on the play. Vandemark used a sacrifice bunt to advance Werkmeister-Martin to third. After Hoffman walked, Faudskar hit a sacrifice fly that was caught by the shortstop in left field.
In the fifth inning, Wagner belted a lead-off double and Fischel walked. A double play moved Wagner to third and he scored on a single by Daly. Three innings later, Daly blasted a solo homer to right center to complete the scoring.
Wagner, now 2-0 on the season, allowed five hits and two runs in six innings on the mound. He struck out four batters and gave up just one walk. Pisacane struck out two batters and allowed three hits in three innings for his first save. Daly and Werkmeister-Martin each scored twice during the game. Daly added two RBIs and Faudskar had two RBIs. Jacques and LaVigne each went 2 of 4 for Linfield.
The Bearcats scored two runs in the first inning of the second game. Sean Little (Sr., INF, Corvallis, OR/Crescent Valley HS) started the inning with a double. Two outs later, Daly doubled to center field to send Little across the plate. Daly scored on a single by Werkmeister-Martin.
Two runs by Linfield in the second stanza tied the score. Levi Horner-Villa smacked a solo homer for the first run. Jackson Horner followed with a double and later scored from third on a sacrifice fly by Moen.
Wagner reached first and second with one out in the bottom of the third on a throwing error by the third baseman. Wagner went to third on an errant pick-off throw by pitcher Gage Mack. With two outs, Wagner stole home to put WU in front, 3-2. The home plate umpire initially called Wagner out, but later ruled that he avoided the catcher's tag after consulting with the third base umpire.
The Bearcats maintained their one-run lead for the remainder of the game. Linfield threatened in the top of the seventh. After Horner singled and pinch-hitter Ben Whitt reached first on a throwing error by Joyner. Daniel Khan, who pinch-ran for Horner, was thrown out at third base when Moen hit into a fielder's choice. Vandemark recorded the second out by catching a line drive at the fence in left field. Joyner struck out LaVigne to end the game.
Whitten is 1-1 on the season. He allowed just four hits and two runs in six innings. Joyner registered his first save. Mack fell to 1-1 for the Wildcats after allowing five hits and three runs -- two earned.
Five Bearcats each earned one hit in the second game. The hits were doubles by Little and Daly, plus singles by Werkmeister-Martin, Vandemark, and Ben Setlak (Sr., OF, Evergreen, CO/Evergreen HS). Horner topped Linfield's offense by going 2 for 3 with a run scored. Horner-Villa was 1 of 3 with his solo home run.
