Softball

2008-09 Softball News

  • Franchi Receives Third Team All-America Honors from NFCA
    May 19, 2009
    SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University senior softball player Nikki Franchi (RHP/DP, Los Gatos, CA/Saratoga HS) has been named Third Team All-America for NCAA Division III, as selected by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA). It is Franchi's second consecutive year on the All-America Team. She was chosen First Team All-America in 2008.
  • Franchi Repeats as First Team All-West Region Selection
    May 15, 2009
    SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University softball standout Nikki Franchi (Sr,. RHP/DP, Los Gatos, CA/Saratoga HS) has been chosen First Team All-West Region for the second year in a row. Franchi, who led the Bearcats to a 29-6 overall record, was one of 15 athletes selected for the First Team by members of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA).
  • Four Willamette Softball Players are Named First Team All-NWC
    May 08, 2009
    SALEM, ORE. -- Four members of the Willamette University softball team have been chosen First Team All-Northwest Conference for the 2009 season, in voting by the NWC head coaches. Three additional Bearcats were named Second Team All-NWC following Willamette's successful 29-6 season. Willamette, ranked #21 in NCAA Division III, finished second in the NWC with a 22-6 conference record.
  • Willamette is Ranked #21 in NCAA Division III Softball Top 25
    May 07, 2009
    SALEM, ORE. -- The Willamette University softball team is ranked #21 in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division III Top 25 released on Wednesday, May 6. The Bearcats concluded the season with a 29-6 overall record and finished second in the Northwest Conference with a 22-6 mark.
  • Bearcats are Tied for #15 in NCAA Division III Softball Poll
    April 29, 2009
    SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University is tied for #15 in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division III Top 25 released on Wednesday, April 22. The Bearcats finished the regular season with a 29-6 overall record, including 22-6 in the Northwest Conference.
  • Franchi's Homer in Seventh Inning Gives WU a 2-0 Win over Linfield to Start Doubleheader
    April 26, 2009
    McMINNVILLE, ORE. -- Senior Nikki Franchi (RHP/DP, Los Gatos, CA/Saratoga HS) blasted a two-run homer in the top of the seventh inning to break a scoreless tie and send Willamette University to a 2-0 victory over Linfield College in the first game of a doubleheader on Sunday, April 26. Franchi also threw a complete-game and allowed just one hit in the opener. Linfield rallied from a 3-0 deficit in the second game to defeat the Bearcats, 5-3, and split the twinbill.
  • Linfield Sweeps Doubleheader from Bearcats
    April 25, 2009
    SALEM, ORE. -- Linfield College, ranked #2 in NCAA Division III, defeated 10th-ranked Willamette University in both games of a Northwest Conference doubleheader, winning 3-0 and 13-5 at the WU Softball Field on Saturday, April 25. Linfield improved to 35-3 overall, 25-1 in the NWC. The Bearcats dropped to 28-5 on the season, 21-5 in the NWC.
  • Willamette is Ranked #10 in NCAA Division III Softball Poll
    April 22, 2009
    SALEM, ORE. -- The Willamette University softball team is ranked #10 this week in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division III Top 25 Poll released on Wednesday, April 22. Willamette will close out the regular season with a four-game Northwest Conference series against Linfield College, which is ranked #2 in this week's poll.
  • Franchi Earns 13 Strikeouts, Romero Hits Two Homers, as Bearcats Sweep Pirates
    April 19, 2009
    SPOKANE, WASH. -- Willamette University senior pitcher Nikki Franchi (RHP, Los Gatos, CA/Saratoga HS) threw a complete-game two-hitter and struck out 13 batters, leading the Bearcats to a 5-0 victory over Whitworth University in the first game of a doubleheader on Sunday, April 19. In the second game, Willamette shortstop Mica Romero (Fr., Woodland, CA/Woodland Christian HS) belted a pair of three-run homers, as the Bearcats won 8-0.
  • Bearcats Pull Away from Pirates in First Game, 13-0
    April 18, 2009
    SPOKANE, WASH. -- The Willamette University softball team led 3-0 after five innings, then pulled away to rout Whitworth University, 13-0, in the first game of a Northwest Conference doubleheader on Saturday, April 18. Whitworth won the second game, 1-0, behind a one-hitter from pitcher Jessica Mangis.
  • Willamette is Ranked #7 in NCAA Division III Softball Poll
    April 15, 2009
    SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University has moved up four positions in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division III Top 25 Poll released on Wednesday, April 15. Willamette is 25-2 on the season, including 18-2 in the Northwest Conference. The Bearcats were ranked #11 a week ago.
  • Willamette Sweeps Lutes in Softball, 2-0 and 8-3
    April 11, 2009
    SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University pitcher Nikki Franchi (Sr., Los Gatos, CA/Saratoga HS) limited Pacific Lutheran University to three hits, as the Bearcats defeated the Lutes, 2-0, to start a Northwest Conference doubleheader at the WU Softball Field on Saturday, April 11. Willamette produced 13 hits in the second game to completed the sweep with an 8-3 victory.
  • Bearcats (Ranked #11) Defeat Puget Sound in Doubleheader, 3-1 and 3-2
    April 10, 2009
    SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University, ranked #11 in NCAA Division III, won a pair of close Northwest Conference games with strong pitching and timely hitting, as the Bearcats defeated the University of Puget Sound, 3-1 and 3-2, on Friday, April 10 at the WU Softball Field. Willamette upped its record to 23-2 overall, 16-2 in the NWC. The Loggers fell to 10-19 on the season, 4-12 in the conference.
  • Softball Doubleheaders with UPS and PLU will be Webcast this Weekend
    April 10, 2009
    SALEM, ORE. -- Action from the Willamette University softball doubleheaders on Friday, April 10 and Saturday, April 11 will be webcast by Full Access Sports. Willamette enters the weekend ranked #11 in NCAA Division III with a 21-2 overall record, including 14-2 in the Northwest Conference.
  • Two No-Hitters Help Franchi Claim NWC Student-Athlete Recognition
    April 08, 2009
    SALEM, ORE. -- Nikki Franchi (Sr., RHP, Los Gatos, CA/Saratoga HS) threw two no-hitters in three appearances last week. She was 3-0 and struck out 28 batters in 18 innings. Her efforts have earned her Northwest Conference Softball Pitcher Student-Athlete of the Week recognition for the third week in a row.
  • Franchi Throws No-Hitter in First Game, as Bearcats Sweep George Fox, 8-0 and 10-0
    April 05, 2009
    SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University pitcher Nikki Franchi (Sr., RHP, Los Gatos, CA/Saratoga HS) threw a no-hitter in the first game to start a doubleheader sweep by the Bearcats over George Fox University, 8-0 and 10-0 on Sunday, April 5 at the WU Softball Field. Both games ended on the run rule in five innings.
  • Willamette Sweeps Pioneers in NWC Doubleheader, 5-1 and 6-0
    April 04, 2009
    PORTLAND, ORE. -- Willamette University's pitching tandem of senior Nikki Franchi (RHP, Los Gatos, CA/Saratoga HS) and freshman Alex Watilo (RHP, Newcastle, CADel Oro HS) limited Lewis & Clark College to just one run in 14 innings on Saturday, April 4, as the Bearcats swept a doubleheader from the Pioneers, 5-1 and 6-0.
  • Willamette Wins Two Games against Lewis & Clark on Run Rule
    April 01, 2009
    SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University, ranked #10 in NCAA Division III, won a pair of Northwest Conference games against Lewis & Clark College on the run rule, 8-0 and 12-0, Wednesday, April 1 at the WU Softball Field. The Bearcats moved to 17-2 on the season, 10-2 in the NWC. The first game ended in the sixth inning and the second game went five innings.
  • Franchi Repeats as NWC Student-Athlete of the Week
    March 31, 2009
    SALEM, ORE. -- Nikki Franchi (Sr., RHP/DP, Los Gatos, CA/Saratoga HS) of Willamette University has been named Northwest Conference Softball Pitcher Student-Athlete of the Week for the second week in a row. Franchi went 4-0 in games played between March 23 and March 29, while achieving an earned run average of 0.81 and striking out 41 batters in 26 innings.
  • Willamette Doubleheader with Lewis & Clark will Start at 3:30 p.m. on April 1
    March 31, 2009
    SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University and Lewis & Clark College will play a doubleheader of softball games on Wednesday, April 1 at the WU Softball Field, starting at 3:30 p.m. (PDT). The games were originally scheduled for March 14, but were rained out. The teams chose April 1 as the make-up day, but planned to start earlier in the afternoon. The most recent change resulted in the new 3:30 p.m. start time.
  • Bearcats and Lutes Split NWC Doubleheader
    March 29, 2009
    TACOMA, WASH. -- Willamette University and Pacific Lutheran University split a Northwest Conference softball doubleheader on Sunday, March 29 at the PLU Field. The Bearcats won the first game, 14-2, on the run rule in five innings. The Lutes took the second game, 3-2.
  • Franchi Strikes Out 10 Loggers in 4-0 Win over Puget Sound
    March 27, 2009
    TACOMA, WASH. -- Senior pitcher Nikki Franchi (RHP, Los Gatos, CA/Saratoga HS) struck out 10 batters and Talissa Huntsman (Fr., 1B, Richland, WA/Richland HS) hit her first college home run, as Willamette University defeated the University of Puget Sound, 4-0, in the first game of a doubleheader on Friday, March 26. Willamette won the second game, 5-0.
  • Softball Games at Puget Sound will be Played a Day Early on Friday
    March 26, 2009
    SALEM, ORE. -- The Willamette University softball team, ranked #7 in NCAA Division III, will play the University of Puget Sound on Friday, March 27 in Tacoma, Wash., one day earlier than originally scheduled. In an effort to avoid a rainout on Saturday, the teams will play a doubleheader on Friday, with the first game set to start at 3:30 p.m. (PDT).
  • Bearcats Advance to #7 in NFCA Division III Top 25 Poll
    March 25, 2009
    SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University moved up one spot to #7 in the nation in this week's National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division III Top 25 Poll, release on March 25. Willamette, 10-1 before voting by the panel of coaches, is now 12-1 after sweeping a doubleheader from Southern Oregon University on March 24.
  • Franchi Earns NWC Student-Athlete of the Week Award
    March 25, 2009
    SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University senior pitcher Nikki Franchi (RHP, Los Gatos, CA/Saratoga HS) has been named NWC Softball Pitcher Student-Athlete of the Week for the week ending March 22. Franchi went 2-0 during the week with a 0.00 earned run average and 24 strikeouts in 12 innings pitched.
  • Willamette Sweeps Southern Oregon, 3-1 and 12-2
    March 24, 2009
    ASHLAND, ORE. -- Willamette University won a pair of non-conference games against Southern Oregon University on Tuesday, March 24, as the Bearcats defeated the Raiders, 3-1 and 12-2 at University Field. The Bearcats, ranked #8 in NCAA Division III, have won eight games in a row and are 12-1 on the season. Southern Oregon is 2-9 overall.
  • Bearcats Shut Down Oregon Tech, 4-0, as Franchi Strikes out 11
    March 23, 2009
    REDDING, CALIF. -- Willamette University received a strong pitching and hitting performance from senior Nikki Franchi (RHP, Los Gatos, CA/Saratoga HS), as she led the Bearcats to a 4-0 shutout of the Oregon Institute of Technology on Monday, March 23 at Simpson University. Franchi allowed just two hits and struck out 11 batters. She also went 3 for 4 at the plate with one run and one RBI.
  • Krewer and Wallace Hit Homers, as WU Defeats Dominican, 9-0
    March 22, 2009
    REDDING, CALIF. -- Willamette University, ranked #8 in NCAA Division III, opened Spring Break with a 9-0 victory over Dominican University (Calif.) on the run rule six innings, Sunday, March 22 at Simpson University. The Bearcats improved to 8-1 on the season. Dominican dropped to 3-16.
  • Watilo Throws a Shutout in 3-0 Victory over Oregon Tech
    March 22, 2009
    REDDING, CALIF. -- Freshman pitcher Alex Watilo (RHP, Newcastle, CA/Del Oro HS) threw a four-hitter with four strikeouts to lead Willamette University to a 3-0 victory over the Oregon Institute of Technology on Sunday, March 22 at Simpson University. WU, ranked #8 in NCAA Division III, went to 9-1 on the season. Oregon Tech saw its record fall to 6-6.
  • Bearcats Sweep Doubleheader at George Fox, 13-2 and 4-0
    March 19, 2009
    NEWBERG, ORE. -- Willamette University, ranked #8 in NCAA Division III, swept a Northwest Conference doubleheader from George Fox University, 13-2 and 4-0, on Thursday, March 19 at Morse Field. The first game ended on the run rule in six innings.
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