By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

AUSTIN, Texas -- Kendra Knapp (Jr., RF, Portland, OR/Sunset HS) and Marykate DeLuca (Sr., C, San Diego, CA/San Diego International Studies) each hit two doubles for Willamette University in a doubleheader at Concordia University Texas on Monday, Feb. 20, but the Tornados defeated the Bearcats 7-2 and 9-3 at Tornado Softball Field. Concordia Texas upped its record to 3-1, while Willamette ended the twinbill with a 5-5 overall record.

In the first game, Caitlin Rangel pitched all seven innings for Concordia and held Willamette to six hits. In the nightcap, the Bearcats outhit Concordia 10-6, but the Tornados grabbed a 7-2 advantage after two innings and kept the lead. For Willamette, DeLuca hit one double in each game, while Knapp achieved both of her doubles during the second game.

Willamette will return to action at the WU Softball Field on Saturday, Feb. 25 and Sunday, Feb. 26 when the Bearcats open the Northwest Conference schedule with a series against nationally-ranked Linfield University. On Saturday, the teams will play a doubleheader starting at 12 p.m. (PST). On Sunday, the Bearcats and the Wildcats will play two more games, starting at 11 a.m.

Majors and DeLuca Hit Doubles in Game 1

Concordia Texas built a 6-0 lead in the first game by scoring runs in five of the first six innings. Willamette earned two runs in the top of the sixth to pull within 6-2, but Concordia scored the game's final run in the bottom of the sixth for a 7-2 win.

The Tornados achieved an 11-6 advantage in hits and benefited from four errors by the Bearcats. WU was led by Brianna Majors (Sr., SS/2B, San Diego, CA/Cathedral Catholic HS) and Marykate DeLuca (Sr., C, San Diego, CA/San Diego International Studies), who each belted a double. Four other Bearcats hit a single. For Concordia, Mindy Matthews, Megan Hooper, and Kylie Woods each provided two hits, while Ellie Congalton, Kylie Pavlicek, and Zaleigh Perez each recorded a double.

In the bottom of the first, Matthews walked, stole second, reached third on a double-steal, and scored on an error by the pitcher when Emily Schmuck hit a fielder's choice. In the second, Hooper singled, stole second, and later scored on an error. During the third inning, Congalton drove in a run on a groundout and Pavlicek hit an RBI double.

A two-run double by Perez in the fifth gave Concordia a 6-0 margin. In the top of the sixth for WU, Carrie Dose (Sr., 1B/P, Eugene, OR/Churchill HS/Buena Vista Univ.) singled with one out. Jordyn Johnson (Jr., P, Winslow, AZ/Winslow HS) walked and Sophia Lucio (So., RF, Martinez, CA/College Park HS) hit an infield single.

With the base loaded, Majors smacked a double to left center, sending Dose and Johnson across the plate. A strikeout and a groundout ended the threat. Congalton doubled for Concordia with one out in the bottom of the sixth. With two outs, Hooper recorded a bunt single. Hooper later stole second base and Congalton scored on an error by the catcher.

Concordia pitcher Caitlyn Rangel, 1-0, tossed all seven innings with six strikeouts and six walks. Johnson, now 1-2, pitched for WU, struck out three batters, and walked five batters.

Knapp Blasts Two Doubles in Game 2

Knap's two doubles led the way for Willamette in the second game, while Lund and DeLuca also added a double. Even so, Concordia Texas outscored the Bearcats, 9-3. The Tornados had just six hits, but also took advantage of three errors by the Bearcats.

Willamette scored the first run in the top of the first inning, when Lund hit a leadoff single, stole second base, and scored on Knapp's first double. Later, Knapp was thrown out attempting to steal, but the Bearcats loaded the bases with walks to DeLuca and Majors and a single by Dose. Concordia got out of the inning with a strikeout and a groundout.

The Tornados pushed across four runs in the bottom of the first. A three-base error brought in the tying run. Cristina Ayala, who went to third on miscue, scored on a stolen base to give the Tornados a 2-1 lead. Concordia's big hit in the inning was an RBI triple by Pavlicek. Hooper added an RBI on a sacrifice bunt with runners at first and third.

Adele Benny (Jr., OF, Bee Cave, TX/Lake Travis HS) hit a single for WU with one out in the second inning. She stole second base and then scored when Lund sent a double down the left field line. In the bottom of the second. Concordia tacked on three runs for a 7-2 advantage. The inning featured just one hit for the Tornados, a leadoff single by Kaelyn Cash. Concordia also used a trio of fielder's choices and a Willamette error to help the Tornados score.

Neither team scored in the third or fourth innings, and both teams produced one run in the fifth. For Willamette, Knapp doubled near the left field line and reached home plate when DeLuca followed with a double to right center. The Tornados scored their run when Hooper walked, stole second and third, and dashed home on a wild pitch.

Denaro reached base on an error by WU in the sixth inning and later scored on a single by Schmuck. Cash and Schmuck each earned two hits for the Tornados during the game.