By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
TACOMA, Wash. -- Two Pacific Lutheran University pitchers limited Willamette University to three hits, as the Lutes defeated the Bearcats, 6-0, in the final game of a Northwest Conference weekend series on Sunday, March 21 at the PLU Softball Field. The Lutes evened their record at 6-6 on the season, while improving to 3-1 in the NWC. Willamette dropped to 2-8 overall, 1-3 in the NWC.
PLU starting pitcher Z Ellis and reliever Kennedy Robillard combined for the shutout. Ellis struck out five batters and allowed three hits and four walks in six innings. She moved to 2-3 this spring. Robillard held Willamette without a hit while pitching the seventh inning.
Willamette's hits were singles by Shaye Mott (So., P/1B, Livermore, CA/Granada HS), Jewel Fleckenstein (Jr., UT, Wasilla, AK/Mat-Su Middle College School), and Brianna Majors (So., SS/2B, San Diego, CA/Cathedral Catholic HS).
The Lutes were led on offense by Cailey Collado, who went 4 for 4 with a double and two runs. Casey Wright was 2 of 2 and hit a double, scored a run, and drove in two runs. Chaella Galapon was 1 for 2 with a double and two RBIs.
Pacific Lutheran put up one run in the second inning. Wright doubled to start the stanza, and scored when Galapon batted next and also connected for a double.
In the bottom of the third, the Lutes plated three runs for a 4-0 advantage. With runners at second and third, Erin McGrath brought in Mari Foster with the first run on a sacrifice fly. After Robillard walked, Wright hit a single to the circle that drove in Collado. Robillard scored on a groundout by Galapon.
Singles by Collado and McGrath, plus a walk issued to Robillard, loaded the bases for the Lutes in the fifth. Wright hit a sacrifice fly to center field to score Collado. Pinch-hitter Sarah Potwin contributed a single that drove in McGrath for a 6-0 lead. The Bearcats prevented additional runs with a fielder's choice out at the plate and a catch in center field.
Willamette will host the University of Puget Sound in four games next weekend. The Northwest Conference series will begin on Saturday, March 27 with a doubleheader at the WU Softball Field starting at 12 p.m. (PDT). The series will conclude with a doubleheader at 11 a.m. on Sunday, March 28.
