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

SALEM, ORE. -- Kayla Rieger (Sr., 3B, Anacortes, WA/Anacortes HS/Adelphi Univ.) of Willamette University has been selected as the Northwest Conference Softball Position Student-Athlete of the Week for her efforts as the Bearcats went 4-2 in NWC games between April 8 and April 12.

The Bearcats evened their NWC record at 12-12 and are still in the hunt for one of four NWC Tournament berths. Willamette is currently tied for fifth place with Pacific Lutheran University.

Willamette has to defeat Linfield College (14-10) in at least three of four games this weekend, while winning one more game than PLU wins against University of Puget Sound, in order to reach the four-team NWC Tournament. WU also would advance in a three-way or four-way tie at 15-13.

Rieger led the Bearcats with a .526 batting average (10 of 19) during the week. She recorded at least one hit and one run in all six games, and had four games with two hits. She scored seven runs and recorded one RBI. She hit one double and one triple. Willamette came from behind in all four games to sweep the Bearcats' weekend series with Lewis & Clark.

WU opened the week with two close loses in make-up games at Pacific Lutheran. The Lutes edged the Bearcats, 4-3 in the first game and 7-6 in eight innings in the second game. The Bearcats then swept L&C 9-8 and 6-3 on Saturday, and took two more games from the Pioneers on Sunday, winning 4-3 and 8-4.

For the season, Rieger is batting .400 (42 of 105) with 28 runs and 22 RBIs. She is tied with Heather Winslow (Sr., 1B, Oregon City, OR/Oregon City HS) and Amanda Absher (Sr., C, Elk Grove, CA/Franklin HS) for the team lead with 10 doubles. She is 16 for 17 on stolen bases.

Willamette will host Linfield in a doubleheader on Saturday, April 18. First pitch is set for 12 p.m. (PDT). It will be Senior Day for the Bearcats. WU and Linfield will complete the four-game series with two games in McMinville, Oregon, on Sunday, April 18 starting at 12 p.m