By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
SALEM, Ore. -- Gianna Marchese (Grad., 3B/1B, Seattle, WA/Bishop Blanchet HS/St. Martin's Univ.) belted two doubles for Willamette in the first game, and pitcher Kenna Davis (So., 3B/SS/P, Alameda, CA/Alameda HS) tossed a four-hitter in the second game, as the Bearcats won 5-4 and 3-2 in a doubleheader sweep of Lewis & Clark College on Saturday, April 15.
It was Senior Day for the Bearcats who honored Marchese, Hannah Porter (Jr., UT, Chehalis, WA/Centralia HS), Samantha Loomis (Grad., P, Camarillo, CA/Adolfo Camarillo HS/Marymount Univ.), Adele Benny (Jr., OF, Bee Cave, TX/Lake Travis HS), Carrie Dose (Sr., 1B/P, Eugene, OR/Churchill HS/Buena Vista Univ.), Marykate DeLuca (Sr., C, San Diego, CA/San Diego International Studies), and Shaye Mott (played in 2020, 2021, and 2022).
Willamette upped its record to 15-21, 10-16 in the Northwest Conference. L&C dropped to 18-18, 10-16 in the NWC. The teams will play a doubleheader on Sunday, April 16, at Lewis & Clark, with first pitch moved from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. (PDT).
Bearcats Rally from 4-1 Deficit to Win 5-4
The first game was a 1-1 tie after 1 1/2 innings and it remained that way until the sixth inning, when the teams combined for seven runs. Lewis & Clark plated three runs in the top of the sixth for a 4-1 lead. Willamette scored four runs in the bottom of the sixth to rally for a 5-4 lead. Jordyn Johnson (Jr., P, Winslow, AZ/Winslow HS) of Willamette, who went to the circle with two outs in the sixth, faced just four batters and allowed one walk in the bottom of the seventh to secure the win.
WU earned the game's first run in the bottom of the first. Emma Elliott (Fy., OF, Battle Ground, WA/Battle Ground HS) walked to start the frame, and went to second on a bunt single by Faith Collar (So., P/UT, Portland, OR/Roosevelt HS). DeLucs hit into a fielder's choice, and while Collar was thrown out at second, Elliott scored on the play.
In the top of the second, Sam Gildersleeve of L&C singled, stole second, went to third on a sacrifice bunt by Megan Yanagi, and scored on a single by McKenna Zehnder.
The Pioneers broke the tie and grabbed a three-run lead in the top of the sixth. Mari Alvarez and Emily Patton each hit a double with one out. Katie Ingersoll, who ran for Alvarez, scored on Patton's double. Patton later scored on a wild pitch. Riley Anderson provided the third run with a solo homer.
Willamette countered with four runs in the bottom of the sixth. Collar walked and advanced to second on a wild pitch. She scored on a single up the middle by DeLuca. Sophia Lucio (So., RF, Martinez, CA/College Park HS) pinch-ran for DeLuca. Brianna Majors (Sr., SS/2B, San Diego, CA/Cathedral Catholic HS) hit a single. Lucio scored when Kendra Knapp (Jr., RF, Portland, OR/Sunset HS) reached base on an error. Majors scored when Mia Lund (Jr., UT, Omaha, NE/Westside HS) hit into an error, and Knapp scored on a double by Marchese.
Loomis pitched the first 5 2/3 innings for Willamette. Alyssa Abe pitched into the sixth inning for L&C. At the plate, Marchese was 2 for 3 with two doubles and an RBI for the Bearcats. The Pioneers outhit the Bearcats 14-7, as seven L&C players recorded two hits. However, Lewis & Clark finished with 12 runners left on base, while Willamette left four runners on base.
Davis Pitches Four-Hitter in WU's 3-2 Victory
Davis' efforts in the circle for Willamette in the second game were outstanding. She pitched a complete game and allowed just four hits and two runs. She struck out three batters and did not have a walk.
The Bearcats took a 1-0 lead in the third inning. With two outs, Majors singled to right and Knapp blasted a double to left field. Majors scored on an error at the end of the play. WU extended its advantage to 3-0 in the fourth. With two outs, Alexandra Richards (So., OF, Bellevue, WA/Newport HS) and Elliott walked. Collar was hit by a pitch, which loaded the bases. DeLuca drove home Richards and Elliott with a single up the middle.
In the fifth inning, the Pioneers scored two runs to pull within 3-2. Gildersleeve singled to begin the frame and later scored on a close play at the plate on a bunt by Zehnder. Ingersoll reached base on a fielder's choice, as Zehnder was thrown out at second. Ingersoll stole a base, and then scored on a single by Alvarez. Pinch-runner Gina Ozuna pinch ran and stole second. Davis escaped the inning when Lund made a diving catch near foul territory on a line drive by Patton.
L&C earned one hit in the sixth inning, but Davis faced just four batters during the stanza. In the seventh, Davis ended the game with two flyouts and a pop-up. She moved to 6-7 with the win. Tallulah Sickels of L&C fell to 4-5 with the loss. Majors was 2 for 3 with a run scored for Willamette, while Knapp smacked a double.
