By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, Ore. -- Nate Schikore (Fy., RHP, Fairfield, CA/Angelo Rodriguez HS) pitched five scoreless innings and allowed just two singles, to start Willamette University on its way to a 12-0 victory over Bethany Lutheran College (Minn.) on the run rule in seven innings at John Lewis Field on Tuesday, March 5. Schikore, 1-0, picked up his first win for WU in his first start. Relievers Matthew Mason (So., LHP, Redondo Beach, CA/Redondo Union HS) and Roman Mahler (Fy., LHP, Oak View, CA/Nordhoff HS) each threw one scoreless and hitless inning.

On offense, Charlie Ferbet (Sr., INF, St. Louis, MO/De Smet Jesuit HS) led the way by going 3 of 4 at the plate with a triple, one run scored, and two RBIs. Wyatt Thames (Jr., OF, Elk Grove, CA/Huntington Beach HS/Biola Univ.) was 2 of 3 with a run and an RBI. Tassos Foster (Sr., 2B, Novato, CA/Novato HS) and Caden Davis (Fy., C/1B, Everett, WA/Henry M. Jackson HS) each recorded a double. Foster finished with a run and an RBI, while Davis was credited with two RBIs.

Rocco Granucci (Jr., OF, San Diego, CA/Scripps Ranch HS) went 1 for 2 with two walks and two runs. Liam O'Connor (Fy., INF, Evergreen, CO/Conifer HS) also went 1 for 2 and scored two runs to go along with one walk.

The Bearcats took advantage of 10 hits and eight walks, plus seven wild pitches and two errors by the Vikings. Willamette played errorless defense, while giving up two walks and no wild pitches. Overall, it was a well-played game by the Bearcats, who improved to 8-0 on the season. Bethany Lutheran dropped to 2-3.

Willamette jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first. With one out, Thames singled to center field and Granucci walked. With two outs, Nate Hamburger (So., OF, Simi Valley, CA/Royal HS) hit an RBI single to center, as Thames crossed the plate. Ferbet added an RBI single to left, and Granucci scored after moving around the tag by Bethany Lutheran catcher Connor Jones several feet from the plate.

In the third inning, the Bearcats tacked on one run. Granucci sent a single into right field to start the inning. He advanced to second, third, and home on wild pitches, ultimately scoring with one out.

WU put together a two-run surge with two outs in the bottom of the fourth. O'Connor hit an infield single near the grass between shortstop and third base to start the rally. Foster batted next and doubled down the left field line. The ball was misplayed in foul territory, which allowed O'Connor to score. Foster moved to third on a throwing error by the shortstop on the relay to the plate. Thames singled up the middle for an RBI as Foster scored. WU led 5-0.

The Bearcats closed out the scoring with seven runs in the sixth inning. The outburst featured two hits, six walks, and four wild pitches. Foster brought in the first run with a sacrifice fly to left field. Later, Jackson Garrett (Sr., UT, Carlsbad, CA/Carlsbad HS/Palomar College) earned an RBI on a bases-loaded walk. Hamburger also walked to bring home the third run. Ferbet followed up with an RBI single to right center and Davis provided a two-run double down the right field line. The seventh run was scored by Ferbet on a sacrifice fly by Adam Birt (So., INF, Fremont, CA/Washington HS).

For Bethany, Aidan Russell singled through the right side with one out in the first inning and Nolan Spence singled to left field to open the second stanza. The Vikings went hitless over the final five innings.

Willamette will play a Northwest Conference series this weekend at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington. On Saturday, March 9, the Bearcats will take on the Lutes in a doubleheader starting at 11 a.m. PST. On Sunday, March 10, WU and PLU will battle in one game starting at 12 p.m. PDT.