By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
SHREVEPORT, La. -- Willamette University rallied from deficits of 6-0 and 9-5 to defeat East Texas Baptist University in the season opener on Saturday, Feb. 5, then scored two runs in the eighth inning to slip past Centenary College, 3-2. Both games were played at Shehee Stadium on the Centenary campus. Willamette is 2-0, while ETBU and Centenary are 0-1.
The Bearcats will play each team one more time on Sunday, Feb. 6. Willamette will take on the ETBU Tigers at 2:30 p.m. CST/12:30 p.m. PST before battling the Centenary Gents at 6 p.m. CST/4 p.m. PST.
JD Willis (So., LHP, Chandler, AZ/Perry HS), 1-0, was the pitcher of record when the Bearcats took the lead in the opener. Brady Joyner (So., RHP, Las Vegas, NV/Shadow Ridge HS) threw the final six outs, allowed no hits or runs, and struck out two batters to pick up a save. In the second game, Eric Waldichuk (Sr., RHP, San Diego, CA/University City HS), 1-0, tossed the first six innings and struck out 11 batters while limiting Centenary to one run and four hits. Pruitt Spritzer (Jr., RHP, Missouri City, TX/Strake Jesuit College Prep) earned a save after striking out three batters in 1 2/3 scoreless innings.
Big Comeback by Willamette Sinks East Texas Baptist
Against East Texas Baptist, the Bearcats fell behind 6-0 in the bottom of the first inning when the Tigers took advantage of four hits and an error. An infield single by Christopher Robinson drove in the first two runs, and a third run scored on an error at the end of the play. Ben Lea added a 2-RBI triple and Austin Barry hit a sacrifice fly to bring home the final run of the stanza.
Willamette's rally began when Trey Topping (Fy., C, Valencia, CA/West Ranch HS) hit a leadoff single in the third inning and scored when Tyler Vandemark (Grad., OF, Modesto, CA/Joseph A. Gregori HS) hit a double to center field with one out. The Bearcats plated three runs in the fifth inning to pull within 6-4. Vandemark provided an RBI single, while Luke Werkmeister-Martin (Jr., 1B, Louisville, CO/Monarch HS) added an RBI single to shortstop and Ethan Fischel (Sr., SS, Eureka, CA/Eureka HS) hit an RBI double down the left field line.
ETBU tacked on a run in the sixth inning. In the top of the seventh, Vandemark walked and eventually scored when Daley received a bases-loaded walk. The Tigers added two runs in the bottom of the stanza for a 9-5 lead. One of the runs scored on a double by Brett Wagner.
The Bearcats surged past the Tigers with five runs in the top of the eighth. Four of the runners scored with two outs. The inning featured five hits by the Bearcats, including RBI singles from Vandemark, Jeff Hoffman (So., 3B, Salida, CA/Joseph A. Grigori HS), and Fischel. The onslaught was completed when Daly drove in two runs with a double near the left field line.
WU added an insurance run in the top of the ninth. Clint Walker (Jr., OF, Rocklin, CA/Rocklin HS) received a base on balls to start the frame. He went to second on a wild pitch and reached third on a double by Topping to left center. Drew Baskin (Fy., INF, Eagle, ID/Arroyo Grande HS) sent Walker across the plate with a sacrifice fly to right field.
Vandemark was 3 for 5 with a double, three runs, and three RBIs against ETBU. Fischel, Daly, and Topping also hit a double. Fischel was 2 of 4 with a run and two RBIs. Topping finished 2 of 4 with two runs scored. Werkmeister-Martin earned two hits, while Walker scored three runs. After ETBU scored six runs in the first stanza, WU starting pitcher Layton Wagner (Jr., RHP/UT, Boise, ID/Timberline HS) tossed four scoreless innings before allowing a run in the sixth.
Bearcats Rally against Centenary, as Pitchers Strike Out 15 Gents
Waldichuk, Matt Pisacane (Sr., RHP, San Diego, CA/San Dieguito HS), and Spritzer combined for 15 strikeouts during the second game, while limiting the Gents to just five hits. Christian Diaz and Parker Preimeaux of Centenary held Willamette to five hits while striking out eight batters. The Gents allowed seven walks, while the Bearcats gave up four walks.
In the first three innings, Waldichuk and Diaz kept both teams off the scoreboard. The Gents broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the fourth when Ben Bridges walked and Tyler Erickson belted a triple down the right field line.
Willamette evened the score at 1-1 in the top of the sixth. Hoffman walked to leadoff the inning. He went to second on a single by Fischel and reached third when Daly hit into a fielder's choice. Fischel was thrown out at second on the play. Hoffman scored on a single through the left side by Walker.
Centenary regained the lead with a run in the seventh for a 2-1 advantage. The Bearcats rallied in the top of the eighth, scoring twice to grab a 3-2 edge. With one out, Walker received a walk and Tassos Foster (So., INF, Novato, CA/Novato HS) singled to right, sending Walker to third. Jonny Suchor (Jr., INF, Boulder, CO/Boulder HS) batted next and hit a 2-run single to left.
Five Willamette players each contributed one hit, including a double by Hoffman. Suchor's game-winning hit allowed him to lead all players with two RBIs. Brady Robinson of Centenary was 3 for 4 at the plate.
