By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
SALEM, Ore. -- Despite two doubles each from Brianna Majors (So., SS/2B, San Diego, CA/Cathedral Catholic HS) and Kelsey Wong (Jr., UT, Honolulu, HI/Punahou School) the Willamette University Bearcats dropped the second game of a Northwest Conference doubleheader against Whitworth University, 10-3, on Sunday, May 2 at the WU Softball Field. The Pirates also won the first game, 9-1, on the run rule in five innings.
Willamette batted first in both games to follow NWC guidelines. Whitworth upped its record to 13-21 overall, 11-11 in the NWC. Willamette concluded its schedule at 4-30 on the season, 3-25 in the NWC.
The Bearcats created a 3-0 lead in the second game with two runs in the first inning and one run in the top of the third.
In the first stanza, Sophia Lucio (Fy., OF, Martinez, CA/College Park HS) walked with one out, stole second base, and went to third on a wild pitch with two outs. Shaye Mott (So., P/1B, Livermore, CA/Granada HS) drove in Lucio with a single to left. Gianna Marchese (Jr., 3B, Seattle, WA/Bishop Blanchet HS/St. Martin's Univ.) hit an RBI single to send Mott across the plate. In the third inning, Majors doubled to left, advanced to third on a wild pitch, and scored on a single through the left side by Mott.
Whitworth tallied a run in the bottom of the third on an RBI single by Maddy Thomas. The Bearcats remained in front 3-1 until the Pirates scored four runs in the fifth to take a 5-3 lead. Heather Menzer drove in two runs with a single up the middle, while Julia Dillon and Mattea Nelson each hit an RBI single. The Pirates added five runs in the sixth inning. Menzer belted a 3-run homer and Kaylie Lowery connected on a 2-run single.
Majors was 2 of 3 with a run scored for Willamette in the second game. She hit her doubles in the third and fifth innings. Wong finished 2 of 3 after hitting her doubles in the fourth and sixth innings. Mott went 2 of 4 with a run and two RBIs. Marykate DeLuca (So., C, San Diego, CA/San Diego International Studies) was 1 of 2 with a double.
Menzer of Whitworth went 2 of 4 with a homer, one run, and five RBIs. Sarah Gayer was 2 for 2 with two walks and three runs. Lowery was 2 of 4 with two RBIs. Whitworth gained a 12-9 edge in hits. Pitcher Kylie Harris threw a complete game for the Pirates, while striking out three batters and allowing two walks.
During the first game, Whitworth pitcher Drea Schwaier-Wolf allowed Willamette just five hits, two walks, and one run over the first four innings. She had three strikeouts. Melanie Laronde tossed the fifth inning for the Pirates
Whitworth took control early with three runs in the first inning and two in the second for a 5-0 advantage. In the bottom of the first, Thomas hit a 2-RBI double and Jessica Rosconi added an RBI single. In the second, Nelson provided an RBI double, while Lowery scored later in the inning on a throwing error.
Mia Lund (Fy., CF, Omaha, NE/Westside HS) walked for Willamette to start the third inning. She stole second base with one out, went to third on a single by Majors, and scored when Mott hit into a fielder's choice.
The Pirates scored one run in the third stanza and extended their lead with three runs in the fourth. Thomas blasted a solo home run to start the third inning. Brynn Radke and Rusconi each hit a run-scoring single in the fourth.
For Willamette, Lund was 2 for 2 with a walk and a run scored in the opener. Marchese also went 2 for 2. Thomas led the Pirates by going 3 for 3 with a homer, a double, three runs, and three RBIs. Rusconi was 3 for 3 and drove in two runs.
