By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
CLAREMONT, Calif. -- Luke Piazza (Jr., 1B, Simi Valley, CA/Royal HS/UC Davis) of Willamette University blasted a three-run homer and finished the game with five RBIs, but the Bearcats lost to Pomona-Pitzer, 24-10, on Sunday, May 19 in the fourth game of their best-of-five regional series in the NCAA Division III Baseball Tournament. Pomona-Pitzer won the series, 3-1. With the win, the Sagehens improved to 35-12 and advanced into a super regional next weekend. Willamette ended its season with a 29-16 record, tied for fourth on the Bearcat's list of most victories in a season.
The school record of 31 wins was set in 1998 (31-12) and in 2018 (31-19). Willamette was 30-15 in 2021. This year's 29-16 record matched Willamette's record in 2001 (29-16). The Bearcats qualified for the NCAA Tournament in 2001 and 2018 prior to qualifying this season. Willamette has earned a winning record or a .500 record in 12 consecutive seasons with 10 winning records during the streak.
Piazza was 2 for 3 in the game with three runs scored. Also for the Bearcats, Carl Lawson (Sr., OF, Whittier, CA/Lutheran HS/Cal Poly Pomona) was 2 for 3 with a double, one run scored, two walks, and an RBI. Drew Baskin (Jr., SS, Arroyo Grande, CA/Arroyo Grande HS) and Rocco Cranucci each added a double. Baskin registered three RBIs, while Jeff Hoffman (Sr., 3B, Salida, CA/Joseph A. Gregori HS) scored twice.
The Sagehens held a slim 2-0 lead after two innings. In the first stanza, JC Ng walked and stole second base before scoring on a double by Greg Pierantoni. In the second, Lateef Wakil doubled to right center with one out. He stole third and scored on an error at the end of the play.
Pomona-Pitzer pulled away with six runs in the top of the third. The inning began with Ng receiving a walk and Isaac Kim hitting a two-run homer. Later, Wakil and Ng each hit two-run singles. Two runs in the fourth increased Pomona-Pitzer's lead 10-0 before Willamette scored three times in the bottom of the fourth.
In the fourth, Piazza, Lawson, and Clint Walker (Grad., CF, Rocklin, CA/Rocklin HS) each received a walk. Baskin batted next and provided a bases-clearing double down the left field line. Liam O'Connor (Fy., SS, Evergreen, CO/Conifer HS) walked, but a double play ended the threat.
The Sagehens continued to pull away. Even so, Piazza registered a sacrifice fly for Willamette in the fifth inning to drive in Hoffman from third. Hoffman was hit by a pitch and went to third on a double by Granucci. Later, in the bottom of the seventh, Hoffman reached base on an error, Granucci walked, and Piazza smacked a three-run homer to right field.
Willamette also plated three runs in the ninth inning. Piazza hit an RBI single to score Tassos Foster (Sr., 2B, Novato, CA/Novato HS). Lawson provided an RBI double to bring home pinch-runner Nate Hamburger (Fy., OF, Simi Valley, CA/Royal HS). Walker hit a sacrifice fly to score Piazza from third. The Bearcats scored 10 or more runs in 16 of 45 games this season and earned eight or more runs 22 times.
For Pomona-Pitzer on Sunday, Pierantoni was 6 for 7 with three runs, a double, and two RBIs. Ng finished 4 of 5 with four runs and five RBIs. Isaas Kim was 2 of 4 with a double, a homer, three runs, and two RBIs. Wakil was 3 of 7 with two doubles, three runs, and two RBIs. Jakobs went 2 of 5 with a home run, five RBIs, and three runs scored.
Starting pitcher Ethan Collins improved to 3-3 with the win for the Sagehens. He pitched five innings and allowed four runs, while recording six strikeouts and six walks. WU starter Pruitt Spritzer (Grad., RHP, Missouri City, TX/Strake Jesuit College Prep) fell to 4-1 after pitching 2 1/3 innings.
