By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University's EJ McGrew (So., LHP, Oakland, CA/St. Mary's College Prep) pitched seven scoreless innings and Clint Walker (Sr., CF, Rocklin, CA/Rocklin HS) smacked a three-run homer, as the Bearcats defeated the University of Puget Sound, 7-1, on Sunday, March 17 to complete a three-game sweep of the Loggers. The victory at John Lewis Field advanced Willamette to 14-2 on the season, 7-2 in the Northwest Conference. The Loggers slipped to 8-10 overall, 0-3 in the NWC.
McGrew provided strong pitching, as he allowed just two hits and two walks, while striking out 10 batters. He threw 96 pitches, including 66 strikes, while improving to 3-0. Dylan Turner (So., RHP, Dallas, TX/Wilson HS) allowed no hits and struck out two batters in the eighth inning. JD Willis (Jr., LHP, Chandler, AZ/Perry HS) pitched in the ninth inning and gave up a leadoff homer to Davis Franklin before facing just four more batters to end the game.
Willamette's held a 1-0 lead after the second inning, when Walker received a base on balls, went to third on a single by Luke Piazza (Jr., 1B/LF, Simi Valley, CA/Royal HS/UC Davis), and scored when Caden Davis (Fy., C/1B, Everett, WA/Henry M. Jackson HS) hit into a 5-4-3 double play.
The Bearcats started the fourth stanza with four consecutive hits. Jeff Hoffman (Sr., 3B, Salida, CA/Joseph A. Gregori HS) began the offensive surge with a single through the left side. Drew Baskin (Jr., SS, Eagle, ID/Arroyo Grande HS) doubled down the left field line to send Hoffman to third. Walker batted next and blasted his three-run homer to right center. Piazza provided the fourth hit, a solo homer to right field. Willamette held a 5-0 advantage.
In the sixth inning, Willamette pushed across another insurance run. Baskin doubled down the left field line to start the frame. One out later, Piazza connected on a single to left field, sending Baskin to third. Liam O'Connor (Fy., SS, Evergreen, CO/Conifer HS) batted next and hit a slow-rolling infield single toward the second baseman, allowing Baskin to score, while Piazza went to second. A pair of strikeouts ended the threat.
WU increased its lead to 7-0 with a run in the eighth. As in the sixth inning, Baskin produced a leadoff double down the left field line. Walker followed up with an RBI single through the right side.
Baskin finished 3 of 4 for the Bearcats, with three doubles and three runs. Piazza also went 3 of 4 with his solo home run. Walker was 2 of 3, with a home run, four RBIs, and two runs scored. Rocco Granucci (Jr., OF, San Diego, CA/Scripps Ranch HS) was 1 for 3 with a double.
For Puget Sound, Franklin was 2 of 4 with his solo home run and a double. Willamette's pitchers limited the Loggers to four hits, while the Bearcats belted 12 hits.
The Bearcats will play a three-game NWC series at Whitworth University next weekend. On Friday, March 23, Willamette will take on the Pirates in a doubleheader starting at 12 p.m. PDT. On Sunday, March 24, the teams will play one game at 12 p.m.
