Boxers Earn Second Split With Bearcats
Results: Game 1 | Game 2
SALEM, Ore.—The Pacific softball team returned to Willamette for the second doubleheader of the weekend against the Bearcats and claimed a 7-4 victory in the first game before falling 10-2 in a five inning second game.
The first game of the day remained scoreless through the first four innings. Pacific (6-3, 2-2 NWC)broke the tie scoring three runs in the fifth inning. Stephanie Vanoudenhaegen (Sr., Cornelius, Ore.) lead-off the inning with a walk and Becca Moen (Fr., Gresham, Ore.) followed with a double to left center to score Vanoudenhaegen. Chelsey Chamberlain (Jr., Grants Pass, Ore.) then reached on a fielder's choice and two batters later on Jordan Mittelsdorf's (Jr., Boardman, Ore.) double down the left field line. Brooke Toy (Sr., Drain, Ore.) hit a sacrifice fly to score Randee Layosa (Fr., Hanama'ulu, Hawaii), the pinch runner for Ashley Billingsley (Jr., Gresham, Ore.).
The Boxers added three more insurance runs in the top of the sixth. Jenna Stevens (Fr., Medford, Ore.) was walked to start the inning, Moen followed a batter later with a single and Chamberlain then sent the ball over the center field fence for a three-run home run. Heading into the bottom of the sixth inning, Pacific was ahead 6-0.
In the bottom of the sixth, Willamette (2-4, 2-2) had three consecutive singles to load the bases before the Boxers could get an out. The Bearcats capitalized on their four hits and a Pacific error to score three runs and cut the lead to 6-3.
Pacific added a single run in the top of the seventh after Toy reached on a fielder's choice and scored on Stevens' single to right field. The Bearcats added a run of their own in the bottom of the seventh but could not overcome the run deficit and Pacific claimed the 7-4 victory.
Rylee Parke (Fr., Dufur, Ore.) picked up her second win of the weekend to improve to 4-0 this season. She pitched a complete game giving up seven hits and striking out three Willamette batters.
In the second game of the day, Willamette jumped out to an early lead scoring four runs in the bottom of the first inning off six hits and a Pacific error.
The score remained 4-0 until the Boxers scored their first run in the top of the third inning. Vanoudenhaegen lead-off the inning with a single, stole second and advanced to third on an error that got Moen safely onto first. Moen stole second, which lead to another Willamette error and allowed Vanoudenhaegen to score and cut the lead to 4-1.
The Bearcats had a six run burst in the bottom of the fourth to increase their lead to 10-1. Nicole Robertson opened the inning for Willamette with a triple to right field and scored on a throwing error. Willamette went on to get three more hits in the inning and score five more runs, courtesy of a double by Mica Romero, a sacrifice fly by Kelli Snyder, a wild pitch by Chamberlain and a passed ball.
Pacific rallied in the top of the fifth with singles by Stevens and Vanoudenhaegen. Moen loaded the bases after hitting into an error at third base. Chamberlain then hit a sacrifice fly deep down the left field line to score Stevens, but back-to-back ground outs ended the Pacific rally and the game on the run rule 10-2.
Shannon Miller (Fr., Vancouver, Wash.) took the loss for Pacific. She pitched 3.1 innings and allowed nine hits while striking out one and walking two Willamette batters.
The Boxers offense was led by Moen, who went a combined 3 for 5 with one RBI and Vanoudenhaegen, who was 3 for 7 with two runs scored. Chamberlain added four RBIs.
Pacific will return home to play Lewis & Clark at Sherman/Larkins Stadium at noon next Saturday.
