By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University opened its four-game Northwest Conference series against Pacific Lutheran University on Saturday, March 20 with a 16-2 win over the Lutes on the run rule in seven innings. The Bearcats pounded out 14 hits, including four home runs and two doubles, while Luke Werkmeister-Martin (So., UT, Louisville, CO/Monarch HS) went 4 for 5 at the plate.

PLU held a 15-10 lead after the top of the sixth inning in the 7-inning nightcap when play was suspended. The second game will resume on Sunday and will be followed by two more 7-inning games to complete the series.

Willamette's home runs in the first game were hit by Michael Nelsen (Sr., C, Folsom, CA/Vista Del Lago HS), Samuel Daly (So., RF, El Dorado Hills, CA/Jesuit HS), Layton Wagner (So., INF/RHP, Boise, ID/Timberline HS), and Tyler Vandemark (Sr., OF, Modesto, CA/Joseph A. Gregori HS). Nelsen's 3-run homer was his ninth home run of the season.

The Bearcats took a 3-0 lead in the first inning and held a 12-2 advantage at the end of the third inning. Vandemark opened the game by reaching first on a fielding error by the first baseman. Werkmeister-Martin followed with a single down the left field line. One out later, Nelsen smacked his home run to left-center. WU scored four times in the second inning, including two runs on a double by Werkmeister-Martin.

Pacific Lutheran pulled within 7-2 in the top of the third, as Austin Gormley hit a sacrifice fly and Jordan Haworth provided an RBI single. The Bearcats answered in the bottom of the third with five runs on four hits and an error. Vandemark and Werkmeister-Martin each connecting for an RBI single, while Daly drove in a run on a fielder's choice. Nelsen brought home the final two runs of the frame with a double to left center, as Vandemark and Daly scored.

WU continued to pull away with a run in the fourth inning, two runs in the fifth, and one run in the sixth. In the fifth, Daly and Wagner each hit a solo home run. Vandemark added a solo homer in the sixth. Werkmeister-Martin's 4-for-5 performance included a double, one run and three RBIs. Vandemark was 2 of 4 with a homer, four runs scored, and three RBIs. Neslen finished 2 of five with a home run, a double, one run, and five RBIs.

Three of the Lutes' four hits were doubles. The doubles were earned by Andy Schmitz, Cole Trotignon, and Connor Lemma.

Wagner pitched the first six innings for the Bearcats and improved to 3-1 with the win. He allowed two runs and four hits, while recording seven strikeouts and four walks. Logan Haslam (Fy., RHP, San Ramon, CA/California HS) pitched the seventh inning and did not allow a hit on his way to two strikeouts and a walk. PLU starter Justin Tucker pitched just two innings and fell to 2-1 with the loss.