By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
SPRINGFIELD, Ore. -- Willamette University pounded out 10 hits and scored eight runs in the fourth inning as the Bearcats shut out Bushnell University, 8-0 on the run rule in five innings, in the second game of a softball doubleheader on Sunday, Feb. 12 at Rich Schwab Field. Bushnell won the first game 6-4, as the Beacons rallied from a 3-2 deficit by plating three runs in the bottom of the third innings. Willamette tallied a run in the top of the seventh for the final score.
Marykate DeLuca (Sr., C, San Diego, CA/San Diego International Studies) of Willamette was 2 of 4 in the first game with a six 3-run homer and an RBI double. In the second game, she went 2 for 2 with a run scored, another double, two RBIs, and a walk. She finished the doubleheader 4 for 6 at the plate with six RBIs.
Willamette's efforts in the first game also included Brianna Majors (Sr., SS/2B, San Diego, CA/Cathedral Catholic HS) going 3 of 4 at the plate. Cora Erickson (Jr., C, Issaquah, WA/Issaquah HS), Kendra Knapp (Jr., OF, Portland, OR/Sunset HS), and Kenna Davis (So., 3B/SS/P, Alameda, CA/Alameda HS) each connected for one hit.
The Bearcats amassed 10 hits in the second game, led by Faith Collar (So., P/UT, Portland, OR/Roosevelt HS), who went 3 for 3 with a run scored. Carrie Dose (Sr., 1B/P, Eugene, OR/Churchill HS/Buena Vista Univ.) joined DeLuca with two hits in the game. dose was 2 for 3 with a run, one double, and two RBIs. Mia Lund (Jr., UT, Omaha, NE/Westside HS) was 1 for 4 with a ouble, a run scord, and one RBI. Willamette's eigth runs were scored by eight players.
Also during the second game, Davis pitched for Willamette. She tossed all five innings and struck out five batters while limiting the Beacons to four hits and one walk.
"Our swings are coming around and we saw a lot of great things today," Willamette Head Softball Coach Paige Hall commented. "Marykate DeLuca had a day at the plate with the first home run of the season and a big chunk of our run production. Kenna Davis threw great for us today with the first shutout of the season. It's been great getting to see a lot of different people play this pre-conference season and to see the depth in our roster."
The Bearcats are 3-3 on the season, while Bushnell ended the day at 3-7. Willamette will return to action on Sunday, Feb. 19 with a doubleheader at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas. The twinbill is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. CST/11 a.m. PST.
