By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
SALEM, Ore. -- Mia Rogers (So., 3B/P, Sammamish, WA/Skyline HS) of Willamette University earned five hits in eight at bats during a Northwest Conference doubleheader against George Fox University on Sunday, April 14, at WU Softball Field. The teams split the twinbill, as the Bruins won the first game in a pitcher's duel, 1-0, and the Bearcats won the second game, 7-4. Rogers was 3 of 4 in the first game and went 2 of 4 in the second game with a run scored and two RBIs.
Willamette and George Fox also split the four-game NWC series at two wins apiece. The Bearcats are 8-17 on the season, 5-11 in the NWC. George Fox completed the weekend with a 17-11 overall record, including 10-6 in the NWC.
On Sunday, the Bearcats outhit GFU by a combined margin of 19-8 in the two games, including 7-2 in the game won by the Bruins. WU allowed just two walks overall and the Bearcats played errorless defense. The offensive success of Rogers was backed up by Brianna Majors (Grad., SS/2B, San Diego, CA/Cathedral Catholic HS) and Desirae Hatfield (Fy., INF, Salem, OR/South Salem HS), both 3 of 6. Kendra Knapp (Sr., RF, Portland, OR/Sunset HS) was 2 of 4 for the Bearcats.
Johnson Throws Two-Hitter, but Game 1 Goes to GFU, 1-0
Willamette pitcher Jordyn Johnson (Sr., P, Winslow, AZ/Winslow HS) threw a complete game in the opener and allowed just two hits and one walk, while striking out five Bruins. Even so, George Fox won the game 1-0 on a run in the third inning. Kiley Harris, who scored the run, singled to left with one out in the inning. She advanced to second on a wild pitch. Harris scored from second base on a sacrifice fly to left center by Makayla Noone.
During the game, Willamette left nine runners on base, including three runners in the first inning and two runners in the fifth. In the first, Maris Pinheiro (Fy., C/OF, Tulare, CA/Tulare Union HS) opened the stanza with a walk. Rogers followed with a bunt single. Two outs later, Hatfield walked and the bases were loaded. A groundout ended the inning.
With one out in the bottom of the fifth, Knapp singled through the left side. Rogers reached first on a fielder's choice as Knapp was thrown out at second. Emma Elliott (So., OF, Battle Ground, WA/Battle Ground HS) singled to center, sending Rogers to second base. GFU's Sharon Tomei, playing at first base, caught a foul ball to stop the threat.
Johnson faced just 22 batters, one more than the minimum over seven innings. GFU pitcher Emma Eastman improved to 7-3 with the shutout, while allowing seven hits and two walks. She struck out three batters.
Bearcats Unleash Bats for 12 Hits in Game 2 for 7-1 Win
The Bearcats put together an outstanding offensive effort in the second game. Willamette amassed 12 hits during the game, including doubles by Mia Lund (Sr., OF/UT, Omaha, NE/Westside HS) and Hatfield. The team recorded six RBIs, with two each from Rogers and Majors, plus one each by Hatfield and Jenna Hopkins (Fy., INF, Mt. Angel, OR/John F. Kennedy HS). Knapp and Hatfield both scored two runs.
George Fox scored the game's initial run in the top of the first inning. Noone opened the stanza and singled to left center. Kamryn Potter was up next and drove in Noone with a down the left field line.
WU responded with three runs in the bottom of the first for a 3-1 lead. Rogers singled with one out and Knapp walked with two outs. Hatfield followed with an RBI double. Majors belted a single to drive home Knapp and Hatfield. The Bearcats tacked on two runs in the second on a base hit by Rogers, and added two runs in the fifth for a 7-1 lead.
The Bruins plated three runs in the sixth inning as they earned four of their six hits in the game. Harris doubled as the leadoff batter in the inning. Noone hit a bunt single as Harris went to third. After Noon stole second, Potter connected on a two-run double to left center. Sandifer drove in Potter with a single to left.
Willamette pitcher Kenna Davis (Jr., P/3B, Alameda, CA/Alameda HS), who tossed a complete game, escaped the inning with a strikeout, a line out, and a flyout. Davis upped her record to 7-6 after facing just four batters in the top of the seventh. She struck out four batters during the game, while allowing six hits and giving up one walk.
