By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
SALEM, Ore. -- The Willamette University softball team is ready to return to action after completing just 13 games last spring before the season ended. After practicing through much of the fall semester, the Bearcats will open the 2021 season at Bushnell University (formerly Northwest Christian University) in Eugene, Oregon, on Sunday, Feb. 28 with a doubleheader at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. (PST).
"We are excited to even be having a season this year," Willamette Head Softball Coach Paige Hall said. "The team has been working hard and looking forward to competing this spring."
As the Bearcats worked through COVID-19 protocols, smoke from wildfires in September, and more recently power outages in the Salem area, the team has focused on preparing for this season. The doubleheader at Bushnell will be followed by non-conference games against Northwest Conference opponents Pacific University and Lewis & Clark College. The Bearcat will play the Boxers in a doubleheader on March 6 in Forest Grove, Oregon, and will take on the Pioneers in a doubleheader in Salem on March 13. Willamette is set to play a full NWC schedule, which will feature four games each against all seven conference opponents.
"There have definitely been some challenges this past year, so the team is ready to compete together and get our season started with Bushnell on Sunday," Hall commented.
Sophomores Brianna Majors (SS/2B, San Diego, CA/Cathedral Catholic HS), Marykate DeLuca (C, San Diego, CA/San Diego International Studies), Adele Benny (OF, Bee Cave, TX/Lake Travis HS), and Shaye Mott (P/1B, Livermore, CA/Granada HS) will be key players for the Bearcats.
Majors led Willamette with a .383 batting average and 11 RBIs in 2020, while tying for first on the team with 11 runs scored. She connected for three doubles and a triple and tied for the team lead with three home runs. Majors provided solid defense up the middle with 18 putouts and 18 assists with just one error.
DeLuca was a defensive leader from behind the plate. She registered a team-high 52 putouts as the Bearcats averaged four strikeouts per game. She also earned seven assists. On offense, she hit .293 and pounded out three doubles. She belted one double and smacked one home run. Majors and DeLuca each started all 13 games for Willamette.
While playing in 11 games, Benny hit .250 with seven runs scored and six RBIs. Mott saw action in nine games and batted .304. She supplied the Bearcats with two doubles. She also pitched during five games (three starts). She was 1-1 on the season and achieved seven strikeouts.
Willamette's roster includes three seniors and five juniors. In addition, the Bearcats will feature seven sophomores and five talented first-year players.
"I'm excited about the potential from our underclassmen," Hall commented.
Due to injuries and graduating seniors, the Willamette lineup includes new pitchers who will help the team in the circle this spring. Leading the way will be Amber Griffith (Jr., OF/P, Brush Prairie, WA/Hockinson HS), who returns to team, but will be pitching for the first time.
The Bearcats will be skilled in the outfield with several players contributing strong arms on defense.
