By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University won both games of a doubleheader against Linfield University, 17-9 and 7-3, on Friday, March 29, as the Bearcats blasted four home runs and finished with 12 extra-base hits in Northwest Conference action at John Lewis Field. The Bearcats advanced to 17-4 on the season and to 10-4 in the NWC. Linfield fell to 8-13 overall, 3-7 in the NWC.
Jeff Hoffman (Sr., DH/3B, Salida, CA/Joseph A. Gregori HS) hit a solo home run in each game, while Tassos Foster (Sr., 2B, Novato, CA/Novato HS) belted a two-run homer in the first game. Carter Stoltz (Fy., C, Davis, CA/DAvis HS) smacked a three-run homer in the second inning of the second game to give the Bearcats a 4-1 lead.
"In game one, we were able to get out to an early lead and capitalize on a few opportunities," Willamette Head Baseball Coach Mike Coduto said. "Our offense did a good job of answering back every time Linfield started to gain momentum. For game two, Steven (Verespey) was able to get ahead and throw multiple pitches for strikes. On the offensive side, the back end of our lineup was able to get on base and flip it over to the top of the order."
Bearcats Build Early 6-0 Lead, Pound 18 Hits, in Game 1
Willamette put together a strong offensive performance in the first game with 18 hits, including six doubles and two homers, in the 17-9 win. Starting pitcher Layton Wagner (Grad., RHP/INF, Boise, ID/Timberline HS) improved to 5-1 after pitching five innings. He struck out five batters, while allowing six hits and four runs (three earned).
The Bearcats zoomed out to a 5-0 advantage in the bottom of the first. Foster singled and Hoffman doubled down the right field line, sending Foster to third. Rocco Granucci (Jr., OF, San Diego, CA/Scripps Ranch HS) singled through the left side to score Foster.
Carl Lawson (Sr., OF, Whittier, CA/Lutheran HS/Cal Poly Pomona) hit into a fielder's choice, but Hoffman was allowed to score when the pitcher interfered in the third base line. Later in the inning, Luke Piazza (Jr., 1B/LF, Simi Valley, CA/Royal HS/UC Davis) belted a two-run double. Drew Baskin (Jr., SS, Arroyo Grande, CA/Arroyo Grande HS) scored the final run of the inning on a wild pitch.
Baskin hit an RBI single in the bottom of the second to drive in Granucci with the bases loaded. Lawson, who began the play at second, was thrown out at home as he attempted to follow Granucci across the plate. WU led 6-0.
The Bearcats plated two runs in the fourth inning. Hoffman opened the stanza with a homer to left field. Lawson singled one out later and eventually scored on a passed ball.
Linfield cut the score to 8-4 with four runs in the top of the fifth. During the inning, Jake Hoskins hit an RBI single, Elijah Maris provided a sacrifice fly, and Nick Holm connected for an RBI double. Danny Kahn scored the fourth run on a throwing error at the end of Kahn's double.
Willamette answered with four runs in the bottom of the fifth to take a 12-4 lead. Stoltz walked and Foster followed with a two-run homer to right. Hoffman and Granucci singled, before the Wildcats recorded an out. Walker drove in Hoffman and sent Granucci to third base with a double. Baskin hit a line-drive sacrifice fly to center to score Granucci.
Each team scored five runs the rest of the way, but the closest Linfield never got closer than seven runs. Relief pitchers JD Willis (Jr., LHP, Chandler, AZ/Perry HS) and Nate Schikore (Fy., RHP, Fairfield, CA/Angelo Rodriguez HS) each pitched two innings.
Clint Walker (Grad., CF, Rocklin, CA/Rocklin HS) was 4 of 5 with a double, two runs, and an RBI. Foster was 3 of 6 with a double, a homer, three runs, and three RBIs. Hoffman was 3 of 5 with a homer, four runs, and three RBIs. Granucci finished 3 of 5 (2 runs, 2 RBIs) and Baskin was 2 of 4 (2 runs, 4 RBIs). For Linfield, Holm and Chase Highberger each went 3 of 4.
Homers by Stoltz and Hoffman Lead Willamette in Game 2
Linfield scored in the top of the second inning for a 1-0 lead in Game 2, but Willamette tallied four runs in the bottom of the stanza and led the rest of the game. With one out and runners at first and second, Adam Birt (So., INF, Fremont, CA/Washington HS) hit an RBI single to center. Stoltz batted next and sent the ball over the fence in right center for a three-run homer, giving WU a 4-1 lead.
Willamette added an insurance run in the fifth inning on a leadoff homer by Hoffman for a 5-1 margin. It was his 37th career home run. He remained in second on WU's all-time list. The school record of 51 homers is held by Kyle Stalker ('09).
The Wildcats pulled within 5-2 in the sixth frame when Wyatt Hurley belted a solo homer. Linfield added two hits with one out, but a strikeout and a flyout ended the threat.
In the bottom of the seventh, the Bearcats plated two runs for a five-run cushion at 7-2. The bases were loaded with one out when a wild pitch allowed Walker to score. Birt followed with a single to right field that scored Baksin. Linfield scored the game's final run in the eight inning on a sacrifice fly by Matthew Lewis.
Birt was 3 of 4 for WU with a run and two RBI. Hoffman went 2 for 3 with a homer, while Stolz was 2 of 4 with a three-run homer. Piazza was 2 of 3. Baskin finished 1 of 2 with a triple and scored twice. Hurley was 2 of 3 for Linfield with a homer, two runs, and an RBI. Willamette starter Steven Verespey (So., RHP, San Ramon, CA/California HS) improved to 3-2 after pitching seven innings and allowing just two runs (one earned). He struck out four batters and did not give up a walk.
The Bearcats and the Wildcats will complete the series with a game on Saturday, March 30. First pitch at John Lewis Field is set for 12 p.m. PDT.
