By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
SALEM, Ore. -- As the Willamette University Bearcats prepare to start the 2023 Northwest Conference schedule this weekend against Pacific University, they are able to benefit from lots of experience on the field plus a pitching staff with plenty of talent. The Bearcats opened the season with three games at the University of Redlands (Calif.) on Feb. 4-5 and three games at Pomona-Pitzer Colleges (Calif.) on Feb. 11-12. Willamette won each series 2-1, giving the Bearcats a 4-2 overall record.
The Bearcats are back in Oregon to host Pacific in three games over the weekend. On Saturday, Feb. 18 the Bearcats will take on the Boxers in two games at John Lewis Field, starting at 11 a.m. (PST). The teams will compete in one game on Sunday, Feb. 19, beginning at 12 p.m.
Overall, the NWC schedule will include three games against each of the other eight teams. In addition to the home series against Pacific, the Bearcats will play at home against NWC rivals from Pacific Lutheran University (March 11-12), Whitworth University (March 25-26), and Lewis & Clark College (April 7-8). The Bearcats will play NWC games on the road at George Fox University (March 4-5), the University of Puget Sound (March 18-19), Whitman College (April 1-2), and Linfield University (April 15-16).
"We are experienced in the field," Willamette Head Baseball Coach Aaron Swick said. "And we have the most depth we have had in my 15 seasons. There is a lot of internal competition at all positions."
THE INFIELD IS EXPERIENCED
Willamette's strength is perhaps on the infield, where the Bearcats have several experienced players, including the returning starters at first base, third base, and shortstop.
Luke Werkmeister-Martin (Jr., 1B, Louisville, CO/Monarch HS) was named Second Team CoSIDA Academic All-America and First Team CoSIDA Academic All-District last season, in addition to receiving Second Team All-NWC honors.
In 2021, Werkmeister-Martin was chosen Third Team All-America by the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA), was named First Team All-West Region by the ABCA and D3baseball.com, and was selected Third Team CoSIDA Academic All-America. Also in 2021, he was named First Team CoSIDA Academic All-District and Second Team All-NWC.
Wermeister-Martin has the top returning batting average for the Bearcats, as he hit .349 in 2022 while starting all 36 games and earning a team-high 32 runs. He recorded 28 RBIs and pounded 11 doubles, one triple, and five home runs. He led WU with a .537 slugging percentage and was 19 for 20 on stolen bases. On defense, he recorded 272 putouts and 10 assists as he recorded a .983 fielding percentage.
In his career, Werkmeister-Martin has achieved a .368 batting average, 136 hits, 89 runs, and 76 RBIs. He has accumulated 29 doubles and 15 home runs on his way to a .577 slugging percentage. He has been successful on 31 of 33 stolen base attempts.
Jeff Hoffman (Jr., 3B, Salida, CA/Joseph A. Grigori HS) returns at third base. Last year, he smacked 11 doubles, one triple, and six homers, while hitting .297 with 28 RBIs. He scored 30 runs to trail only Werkmeister-Martin. Hoffman started all 36 games.
During two seasons at Willamette, Hoffman has provided the Bearcats with a .304 batting average, a .607 slugging percentage, 64 runs scored, and 61 RBIs. He began this year with 20 doubles and 21 home runs.
Last season, Ethan Fischel (Grad., SS, Eureka, CA/Eureka HS) was Willamette's primary shortstop. He played in 35 games -- all starts -- and batted .307 with 28 runs and a team-leading 38 RBIs. He enters the 2023 season with 121 career hits to go along with 96 runs scored, 24 doubles, 22 home runs, and 118 RBIs. In 2022, he contributed 33 putouts and 84 assists, while participating in 14 double plays.
Layton Wagner (Sr., RHP/INF, Boise, ID/Timberline HS) returns as a designated hitter and a back-up infielder in addition to being a starting pitcher for the Bearcats. On offense in 2022, Wagner batted .321, scored 25 times, and drove in 29 runs. He blasted eight doubles, one triple, and six home runs. His career stats include a .319 batting average, 71 runs and 60 RBIs.
As a pitcher, Wagner saw action in seven games with six starts in 2022. He struck out 30 batters in 25 2/3 innings pitched for a solid 10.52 strikeouts per nine innings. He owns a 4.38 career earned run average with a 7-5 record and 119 strikeouts in 112 2/3 innings.
Other returning infielders who will be key players for the Bearcats this season include Ethan Dunnam (Sr., C, El Cajon, CA/Valhalla HS) and Drew Baskin (So., 2B, Eagle, ID/Arroyo Grande HS. Dunnam batted .307 in 2022 while playing in 25 games with 23 starts. He hit five doubles and was 4 for 4 on stolen bases. He recorded 124 putouts, 15 assists, and a .979 fielding percentage. Baskin competed in 17 games with five starts and scored eight runs.
Newcomers who will battle for playing time on the infield are Joshua Murphy (Jr., C, Everett, WA/Cascade HS/Olympic College), Adam Birt (Fy., INF, Fremont, CA/Washington HS), and Jackson Garrett (Jr., UT, Carlsbad, CA/Carlsbad HS/Palomar College).
THE PITCHING STAFF IS TALENTED
Wagner leads a strong pitching staff for WU. Other returning pitchers who will have an impact this spring include closer Brady Joyner (Jr., RHP, Las Vegas, NV/Shadow Ridge HS), and middle relievers JD Willis (Jr., LHP, Chandler, AZ/Perry HS), Will Braaton (Jr., RHP, Highlands Ranch, CO (Thunderridge HS), and Ben Kowalski (Jr., RHP, Louisville, CO/Monarch HS).
Joyner achieved four saves and a 2-3 record in 2022 with 39 strikeouts in 25 2/3 innings. He averaged 13.68 strikeouts per nine innings. In two seasons at Willamette, he has produced an 8-4 record with a 2.86 ERA and nine saves. Joyner has accumulated 69 career strikeouts in 56 2/3 innings and 29 appearances.
Willis saw action in 14 games last spring and supplied the Bearcats with a 2-1 record and one save, while finishing with a 5.01 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 23 1/3 innings. In 2021, he was 3-0 with one save, a 3.77 ERA and 23 strikeouts in 31 innings.
In three seasons of short relief, Braaton has pitched 26 1/3 innings in 22 starts. He has struck out 15 batters. Kowalski has tossed 22 innings over the past three years. In 2022, he pitched 17 2/3 innings, went 4-0 on the mound, and registered 18 strikeouts.
Logan Haslam (Jr., RHP, San Ramon, CA/California HS) and Pruitt Spritzer (Sr., RHP, Missouri City, TX/Strake Jesuit College Prep) have shown improvement and are ready to increase their contributions to the pitching staff. Haslam threw 13 innings in 2022 with 11 strikeouts. Spritzer earned a save last spring while pitching 10 innings and earning 13 strikeouts.
New pitchers who have impressed the coaching staff include Boone Rush (Jr., LHP, Portland, OR/Grant HS/Linn-Benton CC), EJ McGrew (Fy., LHP, Oakland, CA/St. Mary's College Prep), Dylan Turner (Fy., RHP, Dallas, TX/Wilson HS), Steven Verespey (Fy., RHP, San Ramon, CA/California HS), and Conor Wolf (Fy., LHP, Broomfield, CO/Alexander Dawson HS).
Wagner will be one of Willamette's starters. The other starters will be determined in the first few weeks of the season since there are so many new and returning pitchers for the Bearcats. "Our pitching staff has lots of talent and is deep from front to back, but it lacks significant innings of experience in the Northwest Conference," Swick commented.
THE OUTFIELD IS QUICK AND SKILLED
Top returning Bearcats in the outfield are Clint Walker (Sr., CF, Rocklin, CA/Rocklin HS) and Rocco Granucci (So., OF, San Diego, CA/Scripps Ranch HS).
Walker missed most of last season due to an injury, but played in 12 games with 11 starts. He batted .265 and scored 10 runs, while hitting one double, one triple, and one home run. He brings speed to the base paths and to the outfield.
Granucci saw action in 29 games with 24 starts as a first-year player in 2022. He scored 10 runs and provided WU with two doubles and one triple. Granucci recorded a .983 fielding percentage with 56 putouts and one assist.
Newcomers in the outfield who will challenge for playing time include Carl Lawson (Jr., RF, Whittier, CA/Lutheran HS/Cal Poly Pomona) and Nate Hamburger (Fr., OF, Simi Valley, CA/Royal HS).
WILLAMETTE SEEKS CONTINUED SUCCESS
The Bearcats have significant depth throughout the lineup and the team will benefit from the many returning starters in the field. Willamette also features a great group of pitchers who will challenge each other for starting and relief roles throughout the season. The Bearcats have achieved at least a .500 record in 12 of the last 14 seasons. In 2018, Willamette finished the year with a 31-19 record, an NWC Tournament title, and a trip to the championship game of the NCAA West Regional. Last year, Willamette was 19-17 overall and finished just two games out of first place in the NWC.
