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

McMINNVILLE, ORE. -- Willamette opened the 2012 Northwest Conference Softball Tournament with a 3-1 loss to Pacific Lutheran University, ranked #5 in NCAA Division III, but rebounded with a 5-1 win over George Fox University in an elimination game in the double-elimination tournament.

Willamette, which ended the day with a 21-14 overall record, will take on Linfield in another elimination game on Sunday, April 22 at 11 a.m. (PDT). Linfield, ranked #1 in NCAA Division III, defeated George Fox, 3-0, in the first round, but lost to Pacific Lutheran, 3-1, in the winner's bracket game.

The winner of Sunday's first game will get a rematch with Pacific Lutheran, but will have to defeat the Lutes at 1:30 p.m. and again at 4 p.m. in order to gain the NWC's automatic bid into the NCAA Division III Tournament.

In Willamette's first round game, Pacific Lutheran pitcher Stacey Hagensen tossed a complete-game 2-hitter to lead the Lutes. PLU also amassed 10 hits on offense. Amanda Goings was 3 for 4 with two runs and an RBI. Nichole Robertson (Sr., RF, Elk Grove, CA/Franklin HS/Cosumnes River Coll.) of Willamette belted the game's only extra-base hit, a triple in the second inning.

Pitcher Alex Watilo (Sr., RHP, Newcastle, CA/Del Oro HS) of Willamette threw all seven innings against PLU and also pitched the first five innings versus George Fox. She limited the Bruins to just two hits and no walks. She struck out two GFU batters and left the game with a 4-0 lead.

Willamette added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth innings and relief pitcher Hayley Glantz (Fr., Reno, NV/Robert McQueen HS) pitched the final two innings. Glantz allowed three hits and one run.

Top hitters for the Bearcats against the Bruins were Heather Winslow (Fr., Oregon City, OR/Oregon City HS) and Kelli Snyder (Jr., C, Longview, WA/Kelso HS). Winslow was 2 for 3 with a run and an RBI. Snyder finished the game 2 for 3 and achieved one RBI.

An extended story will be posted later.