By John Lind, Assistant Athletics Communications Director

SALEM, ORE -- The Willamette University softball team split a doubleheader with Northwest Conference Rival Pacific University on Saturday, March 16. The Bearcats won the first game 12-10 and lost the second game 14-7.

Willamette moved to 8-12 overall, 4-6 in the NWC. With the win, the Boxers improved their record to 11-11 on the season, 8-6 in the NWC.

In the first game, Pacific took a two-run lead in the first inning and added to that lead with another run in the third. With the Boxers leading 3-0, the Bearcats' offense exploded in the bottom of the third inning, compiling eight hits that produced nine runs.

Pacific then battled back, scoring seven runs over the next three innings. The Boxers' Jessie Moore completed the rally by hitting a two-RBI double to put Pacific ahead, 10-9 in the top of the sixth inning. In the bottom of the inning, however, the Bearcats responded, as Willamette regained the lead with three runs. Pacific did not score in the top of the seventh.

During the game, Pacific belted three home runs, but it wasn't enough to earn the win. Megan Winans hit a two-run homer in the first inning, Becca Moen blasted a two-run homer in the fourth inning, and Jessie Moore provided a two-run homer in the fifth.

The Bearcats were led by Kellie Snyder (Sr., C,Longview, WA/Kelso HS), who batted 4 for 4 in the game with three RBIs and two doubles. Ashley Pender (Fr., INF,Reno, NV/North Valleys HS) went 3 for 4, and the Bearcats outhit the Boxers 15-14. Hayley Glantz (So., P,Reno, NV/Robert McQueen HS) got the win for Willamette, allowing five hits and three runs over three innings.

In the second game, Pacific scored a run in the first inning, four runs in the third and six runs in the fourth to create an 11-4 lead the Bearcats couldn't overcome. Willamette got as close as 11-7 after plating three runs in the bottom of the fourth. The Boxers outhit Willamette 15-11.

Pacific was batting with two runs scored and one out in the top of the seventh when the game was called do to heavy rain.

Pender led the Bearcats by batting 3 for 4 again, this time adding a triple. Erin Norris (So., INF,Salem, OR/South Salem HS) drove in three runs on 2 of 2 hitting, and Heather Winslow (So., OF,Oregon City, OR/Oregon City HS) added another two RBIs while going 2 for 3 at the plate.

Marissa Reichard was 5 for 5 on offense for Pacific in the second game. She scored four runs and earned three RBIs. Moore went 2 for 3 with a walk and four RBIs.

Willamette next travels north to take on NWC foe Lewis & Clark College in a twinbill on Sunday, March 17. The first game is expected to start at 12 p.m. (PDT).