PORTLAND, Ore. — One day after dropping a pair of games to Lewis & Clark, the Pacific softball team returned the favor with a twin killing of the Pioneers on Sunday, 7-3 and 9-2 at Huston Field.
The victories were critical to Pacific's Northwest Conference playoff hopes. The Boxers improved to 13-11 in conference play, moving into sole possession of the fourth and final tournament spot. They are two games ahead of the Pioneers and Pacific Lutheran with four games to play.
The Boxers are also 21-14-1 overall. Lewis & Clark fell to 17-19 on the season and to 11-13 in the NWC.
In both games, Pacific jumped out to an early lead and never relinquished it.
In the opener, the Boxers loaded the bases with no outs in the top of first.
Trisha Snydar drove in a run with a sacrifice fly, followed by run-scoring doubles by
Haley Kodama (RBI) and
Kylee Yamamoto (two RBI). They scored four runs before the Pioneers came to bat.
Snydar hit another sacrifice fly in the second and
Kaui Uwekoolani drove in a run in the third inning. The visitors added more insurance runs in the sixth when
Kaitlynn Donaca tripled home pinch-runner
Caitlyn Ramiscal, who was running for base-hit maker
Emily Tesdale.
Kodama finished 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles, while Yamamoto was a perfect 3-for-3 with two RBI.
Marissa Reichard went the distance in the pitcher's circle, giving up only five hits, two earned runs and two walks. She fanned six Pioneers.
Boxer head coach
Liz Yandall sent Reichard out to throw the second game as well, and her teammates provided her with all the run support she would need in the opening moments of the game.
Rachel Roberts put the pressure on the hosts immediately, singling and then stealing second and third base. Snydar doubled and Kodama followed with a two-run homer. Winans also knocked one over the fence, a two-run blast. Pacific put a five-spot on the board in the top of the first.
Tesdale added a solo shot in the fourth inning and
Ashley Mitchell rapped a two-run single in the sixth.
Reichard scattered eight hits in seven complete innings, allowing just two earned runs again. She improved to 15-6 on the year with the pair of wins. Roberts had two hit and grabbed her 31st and 32nd stolen bases of the year. Snydar had two hits, Winans had two and Tesdale added a pair.
The Boxers look to secure a tournament spot next weekend when they host Willamette in a four-game series. The Saturday and Sunday doubleheaders will both begin at noon.
