By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

STAYTON, Ore. -- Kendra Knapp (Jr., RF, Portland, OR/Sunset HS) of Willamette University pounded out a two-run homer in the first game, and Mia Lund (Jr., UT, Omaha, NE/Westside HS) registered four hits during the doubleheader, but Whitworth University defeated the Bearcats 7-4 and 8-4 on Saturday, April 1. Due to the weather, the Northwest Conference softball games were moved to the Stayton High School Field, which has artificial turf.

The wins upped Whitworth's record to 16-10 overall, as the Pirates moved to 8-6 in the NWC. Willamette ended the twinbill at 13-15 overall and 8-10 in the NWC.

Lund hit a double and received a walk in the first game. In the second game, she was 3 of 4 with a walk and a run. Knapp finished the first game 2 of 4 with three RBIs. Emma Elliott (Fy., OF, Battle Ground, WA/Battle Ground HS) was 3 of 6 overall, with a triple in the first game and a double in the second. Elliott also earned two walks, two runs, and one RBI during the doubleheader.

Willamette and Whitworth are scheduled to complete the four-game NWC series with a doubleheader on Sunday, April 2. First pitch at the Stayton High School Field is set for 11 a.m. (PDT).

Knapp's Homer Highlights Battle in Game 1

In the first game, Whitworth held a 3-2 lead after five innings. The Pirates grabbed a 1-0 advantage in the top of the second on a leadoff homer by Heather Menzer. Whitworth tacked on a run with a sacrifice fly by Jessica Rusconi in the fourth inning. Willamette pulled within 2-1 when Knapp drove in Elliott with a single in the bottom of the fourth. Each team added a run in the fifth.

The Pirates added four runs in the top of the sixth for a 7-2 lead. The offensive surge included one RBI each on an infield single by Menzer and a single by Jazz Johnson. Reagan Ellis hit a two-run double.

Knapp belted her two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth after Elliott started the frame with a single to right field. The hit pulled the Bearcats within 7-4. Whitworth pitcher Corinne Vasiloff got out of the sixth inning by forcing a low line-drive out to right field, striking out a batter, and causing a groundout.

Lund walked to start the bottom of the seventh. Faith Collar (So., P/UT, Portland, OR/Roosevelt HS) reached first base on a fielder's choice, while Lund went to second on a dropped throw. Each runner advanced a base on a groundout by Marykate DeLuca (Sr., C, San Diego, CA/San Diego International Studies). With two outs, Elliott walked to load the bases.

Vasiloff ended the game with a strikeout, her seventh of the game. She improved to 11-4 in the circle. Jordyn Johnson (Jr., P, Winslow, AZ/Winslow HS) struck out three batters. Both pitchers allowed seven hits.

Lund's Three Hits Lead Bearcats in Game 2

A strong effort from Lund in the second game led to a 3-for-4 performance by the junior outfielder and utility player. She scored one run and achieved one RBI. Brianna Majors (Sr., SS/2B, San Diego, CA/Cathedral Catholic HS) was 2 for 3 with a run scored.

The Bearcats took a 2-0 lead in the second inning. Majors opened the at bat with a single to center. Lund hit a bunt single between the plate and the pitching circle. Julia Koorn (Jr., 1B/3B, Purmerend, Netherlands) sent the runners to second and third with a sacrifice bunt, and Gianna Marchese (Grad., 3B/1B, Seattle, WA/Bishop Blanchet HS/St. Martin's Univ.) followed with a two-run double to right center.

Whitworth plated four runs in the third. Katie McKinnis walked and then scored on a double by Hayley Montoya. Later, Menzer provided a two-run triple and Johnson hit a sacrifice fly. In the bottom of the stanza, Willamette pulled within 4-3, as Knapp reached base on an error, went to second when Majors was hit by a pitch, and scored on a single by Lund.

The Pirates scored one run in the fifth and three runs in the sixth for an 8-3 edge. In the bottom of the sixth, with two outs and Sophia Lucio (So., RF, Martinez, CA/College Park HS) at second, Elliott connected for a double to center field that drove Lucio across the plate. Majors and Cora Erickson (Jr., C, Issaquah, WA/Issaquah HS) singled in the seventh, but Willamette was unable to score.