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

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.

Susie Krewer (Fr., 2B, Sacramento, CA/Mira Loma HS) and Nicole Wallace (Jr., C, Roseville, CA/Roseville HS) each blasted a two-run homer for the Bearcats. Pitcher Nikki Franchi (Sr., RHP, Los Gatos, CA/Saratoga HS) struck out 13 Dominican batters and allowed just one hit. She moved her record to 4-1 on the season.

The Bearcats took advantage of four Dominican errors to score six unearned runs during the game. The first mistake by the Penguins happened quickly, when leadoff batter Sierra Lessel (Fr., RF, Eugene, OR/Churchill HS) reached base on catcher's interference. Lessel stole second and scored two outs later, when LaShawna Holcomb (Sr., CF, Renton, WA/Hazen HS) smacked a triple to center field. Krewer's two-run homer followed to give the 'Cats a 3-0 lead.

WU tacked on three earned runs in the second inning -- all with two outs. Cirbi Anthony (Sr., LF, Vale, OR/Vale HS) walked, stole second and scored on a single through the right side by Lessel. After Lessel also stole second, Wallace homered.

In the top of the third, WU added another run. Talissa Huntsman (Fr., 1B, Richland, WA/Richland HS) hit an infield single with one out and moved to second when Amber Lara threw the ball away. Huntsman stole third, before crossing the plate on a ground out by Suzannah Von Trapp (Fr., 3B, Salem, OR/South Salem HS).

The final two runs were tallied by Willamette in the top of the sixth, when the 'Cats earned two hits and Dominican committed one error. Both runs scored on a double to left field by Holcomb, who finished the game 2 for 3 with a run and three RBIs.

Lessel was the only player with more than two hits. She went 3 for 3 for the Bearcats. Willamette earned a total of eight hits during the game.

Franchi was dominant, allowing only three base runners. She recorded three strikeouts in the third inning and struck out two batters in each of the other five stanzas.

Catcher Jill Rizo registered the Penguins' only hit with a one-out single in the fourth inning. She stole second base, but Franchi struck out the next two batters. Two Penguin batters reached base on Willamette errors.

Willamette will conclude Sunday's schedule by taking on Oregon Institute of Technology at 3 p.m. (PDT). The Bearcats are set to play OIT in a second game on Monday, March 23 at 11 a.m. (PDT).