By Eric Spresser, Student Assistant Athletics Communications Director

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University defeated the visiting Linfield College Wildcats by claiming #1 and #2 doubles for a 2-1 lead, before adding wins at #2, #4 and #5 singles to secure the overall 5-4 win in a men's tennis match on Sunday, April 10th.

The Bearcats improved to 3-8 on the season. 3-7 in the Northwest Conference. Linfield fell to 4-10 overall, 3-7 in the NWC.

Willamette gained an important advantage by winning two of the three doubles matches.

At #1 doubles, the Bearcats won with Aaron Schechter (Fr., Seattle, WA/James A. Garfield HS) and Colin Yamaguchi(Sr./Jr., Clackamas, OR/Clackamas HS) defeating Tim Hawkins and Tent Prussing, 8-2. In the #2 match, Samuel Wexman (Sr., Tiburon, CA/Tamiscal HS) and Blake Brash (Sr., Boise, ID/Boise HS) of WU outscored Ben McNair and Liam Spearnak of Linfield, 8-6.

The Wildcats registered a win at #3 doubles, as Jacob Mangan and Carter Pentz held off Derek Lund (So., Helena, MT/Capital HS) and Douglas Hochmuth (Jr./Fr., Oakland, CA/Bishop O'Dowd HS) 8-4.

With a 2-1 lead secured, Willamette needed to match Linfield in singles in order to win the overall match. The Bearcats responded by earning wins at #2, #4 and #5 singles.

Schechter defeated Prussing at #2 singles 6-1, 6-4, while Yamaguchi took care of Pentz 6-2, 6-1 on the #3 court. At #5 singles, Lund defeated Spearnek 6-1, 6-3.

The Wildcats recorded wins at #1, #3 and #6 singles. In the top match, McNair defeated Brash, 6-3, 6-3. In #3 singles, Mangan rallied past Wexman in a super tie-breaker played instead of a third set, 6-4, 3-6, 10-7. At #6 singles, Alec Wistoff moved past Hochmuth for a 6-2, 6-3 victory.

Willamette will be back in action next weekend as the Bearcats will take on Lewis & Clark College on Saturday, April 16 and will host Pacific University on Sunday, April 17. Both matches will get underway in Salem at 12 p.m. (PDT).