By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Senior pitcher Eric Waldichuk (RHP, San Diego, CA/University City HS) threw the first six innings and allowed no runs and five hits to lead Willamette University in a 10-1 win over the University of Puget Sound in the final game of a Northwest Conference series on Sunday, March 6 at Johns Lewis Field. Puget Sound won the first game of the series on Saturday, and then opened Sunday's doubleheader by defeating the Bearcats, 3-1.

Puget Sound ended the series at 9-7 overall and 6-3 in the NWC. The Loggers are in first place in the NWC standings. Willamette moved to 6-7 on the season, 4-5 in the NWC.

Waldichuk struck out four batters and allowed one walk. He upped his record to 2-1 on the season with a 1.37 earned run average and 22 strikeouts in 19 2/3 innings.

"Eric pitched very well. That was a big outing for us," Willamette Head Baseball Coach Aaron Swick commented. "We got some timely hitting while playing good defense."

Fischel Hits a Homer, Walker Belts a Double and a Triple, in Big Win

While Waldichuk's pitching provided the catalyst for WU's 10-1 victory in game two, Ethan Fischel (Sr., SS, Eureka, CA/Eureka HS) and Clint Walker (Jr., OF, Rocklin, CA/Rocklin HS) led the Bearcats at the plate. Fischel hit a 2-run homer and added a third RBI, while Walker provided a 2-run triple and an RBI double.

Walker also hit a single during the game, as he amassed three-fourths of the cycle to go along with three runs and three RBIs. Jonny Suchor (Jr., INF, Boulder, CO/Boulder HS) was 2 of 4 with two runs scored and Ryan Whithorn (Grad., INF, Claremont, CA/The Webb School/Chaffey College) went 2 of 3 with three runs scored.

The Bearcats took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the second, as all three runs were created with two outs. Suchor and Whithorn hit back-to-back singles, and Walker brought home both runners with a triple to center field. Walker went on to score on a passed ball.

In the third inning, Trey Topping (Fy., C, Valencia, CA/West Ranch HS) and Luke Werkmeister-Martin (Jr., 1B, Louisville, CO/Monarch HS) each singled with two outs. Jeff Hoffman (So., 3B, Salida, CA/Joseph A. Grigori HS) batted next and drove in Topping with single up the middle.

WU tacked on three runs in the fourth for a 7-0 lead. Whithorn singled to center to open the frame, stole second, went to third on an infield single by Walker. Whithorn scored on a throwing error when Walker stole second. With one out, Fischel belted a 2-run homer to left center.

The Loggers plated a run in the top of the eighth when Dylan Joyce hit a solo homer to begin the stanza. Puget Sound threatened to score again after loading the bases with a two-out walk. Brady Joyner (So., RHP, Las Vegas, NV/Shadow Ridge HS) went to the mound for the Bearcats and ended the inning by striking out Gio Parascondola. Willamette added three runs in the bottom of the eighth, which included an RBI double by Walker, an RBI ground out by Ethan Dunnam (Jr., C, El Cajon, CA/Valhalla HS), and a sacrifice fly by Fischel.

Loggers Win Pitchers' Duel in First Game

Each team used three pitchers in the first game, who combined to stymie both lineups at the plate. Willamette finished the game with a slim 6-5 advantage in hits. WU starter Justin Miller (Sr., RHP, Poway, CA/Poway HS/Palomar CC), now 1-3, took the loss despite striking out 10 batters and allowing only four hits and two walks in 7 2/3 innings. Davis Miller, 1-1, who started for Puget Sound, went five innings and stuck out four batters, while giving up just two hits.

The key play for Puget Sound on offense was a two-run homer by Jonas Kim in the second inning. Parascondola, who walked to open the stanza, also scored. The Loggers increased their lead to 3-1 in the fifth stanza when Clayton Walt reached base on an error, went to second on a sacrifice bunt by William Gross, and scored on a single by Cody Hirano.

Willamette pulled within 3-1 in the bottom of the seventh. With one out, Fischel pounded a double to left field. One out later, Samuel Daly (Jr., OF, El Dorado Hills, CA/Jesuit HS) hit an RBI single to left. A single by Topping put runners at first and third, but Whithorn flied out to right field for the final out of the inning.

Dunnam singled for the Bearcats with one out in the eighth, and then stole second base with two outs, but a ground out ended the threat.

Kim of Puget Sound went 2 of 4 at the plate with, a double, a home run, and two RBIs. Fischel was 2 of 4 and scored a run for the Bearcats.

Willamette will take on Lewis & Clark College in four games next weekend, with the first three games counting in the NWC. The teams will play a doubleheader each day, with the action starting at 11 a.m. (PST) on Saturday and at 11 a.m. (PDT) on Sunday.