By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
SALEM, Ore. -- Junior pitcher Kenna Davis (Alameda, CA/Alameda HS) threw a three-hitter with two strikeouts and no walks, and Brianna Majors (Grad., SS/2B, San Diego, CA/Cathedral Catholic HS) went 3 for 3 at the plate, as Willamette University defeated George Fox University, 5-1, in the second game of a doubleheader on Saturday, April 13 at Sparks Field. George Fox won the first game, 5-0, as Emma Eastman tossed a four-hitter for the Bruins.
Willamette ended the afternoon at 7-16 overall and 4-10 in the Northwest Conference. George Fox moved to 16-10 on the season, 9-5 in the NWC. The teams will play another doubleheader on Sunday, April 14, starting at 11 a.m. PDT.
Davis won on 86 pitches as she evened her record at 6-6. She faced 22 batters, one over the minimum for a seven-inning game. She caused the Bruins to hit 15 flyouts and two groundouts, including one double-play on a line drive to center field.
The WU defense contributed with errorless play in the second game. In addition, Faith Collar (Jr., UT, Portland, OR/Roosevelt HS) made an all-out diving catch on a foul ball while facing home plate, and Emma Elliott (So., OF, Battle Ground, WA/Battle Ground HS) earned a catch in left center while playing in left field.
GFU Wins First Game 5-0, Despite Johnson's 8 Strikeouts
Willamette pitcher Jordyn Johnson struck out eight batters and allowed just five hits, but George Fox University earned two well-timed hits as the Bruins won 5-0. GFU pitcher Emma Eastman tossed a four-hitter with one strikeout and two walks.
The Bruins tallied one run in the top of the first inning. With one out Kamryn Potter singled to left, and then Sydney Sandifer walked. One out later, Tinley Taylor reached first on an infield error and Potter crossed the plate.
George Fox extended its lead to 4-0 with a three-run double by Sandifer in the second. Three walks during the inning filled the bases with two outs. Sandifer's double went off the left field fence and led to Aliya Harmon, Kiley Harris, and Potter to score. Sharon Tomei hit a solo home run for the Bruins in the fifth inning.
WU left runners at first and third in the second inning, at second in the fifth inning, and at second and third in the sixth. Elliott hit a double with one out in the sixth inning. After Harley Raymond (Jr., 1B, Moses Lake, WA/Moses Lake HS/Columbia Basin College) walked, Desirae Hatfield (Fy., INF, Salem, OR/South Salem HS) grounded out to second base, advancing the runners one base. Eastman forced Majors into a groundout to first to end the inning.
Elliott, Majors, Collar, and Karsen Angel (Fy., C, Albany, OR/South Albany HS) each had a hit for WU. Potter was 2 of 3 with two runs for GFU. Harris made several big plays in left field.
Davis and Majors Lead the Way to 5-1 Win in Second Game
The strong pitching of Davis and the solid hitting by Majors helped Willamette win the second game, 5-1. While Davis limited GFU's chances, Majors contributed a double, two singles, and two runs scored for the Bearcats. Majors finished the day 4 for 6 at the plate.
After watching many well-hit pitches by the Bearcats go toward the Bruins or be stopped by a great defensive play in the opener, Willamette's hitters found open spaces and paths through the infield for hits in the second game. The Bearcats registered 10 hits, including one double each by Majors and Elliott. WU's five runs were scored on RBIs by five players.
Willamette earned two hits twice in the first three innings, but left two runners on base each time. The pressure paid off in the fourth, when the Bearcats scored twice. A dropped soft liner at second put Hatfield at first to start the inning. Majors doubled to send Hatfield to third. A squeeze bunt failed and Hatfield was tagged out. Mia Lund (Sr., OF/UT, Omaha, NE/Westside HS) singled up the middle to drive in Majors. Lund went to second on the throw. Cora Erickson (Sr., C, Issaquah, WA/Issaquah HS) also singled, allowing Lund to score.
WU tacked on a run in the fifth inning for a 3-0 lead. Ellott doubled with one out and scored on a single by Raymond. A double play on a lineout ended the frame. Harris hit a solo home run for GFU with two outs in the sixth inning.
The Bearcats secured the win by scoring twice in the bottom of the sixth. Majors singled to open the stanza, then Collar walked and Lund was hit by a pitch. One out later, Maris Pinheiro (Fy., C/OF, Tulare, CA/Tulare Union HS) walked to bring home Majors. Mia Rogers (So., 3B/P, Sammamish, WA/Skyline HS) added a sacrifice fly to send Collar across the plate.
