Willamette Defeats Whitman in First Game of Doubleheader, 11-5

www.willamette.edu

(Salem, Oregon) - Willamette University received strong batting from the team's three freshmen in the lineup, as the Bearcats defeated the Whitman College Missionaries, 11-5, in the first game of a doubleheader at John Lewis Field on Saturday, April 16. Willamette improved to 16-14 overall, 7-9 in the Northwest Conference, while Whitman fell to 4-26, 3-16 in the NWC.

Freshman second baseman Tommy Kawamura (Renton, WA/Lindbergh HS) led the Bearcats by going 4 for 5 at the plate with a double and one runs scored. Designated hitter Tosh Semlacher (Fr., Gold River, CA/Jesuit HS) went 3 for 5 with one run, a double and one RBI.

First baseman Brandon Chinn (Fr., Salem, OR/Sprague HS) smacked his first home run as a Bearcat and finished 2 for 3 with a run and two RBIs. Kawamura, Semlacher and Chinn were a combined 9 for 13.

Kyle Buckham was 3 for 4 with a run and an RBI for Whitman. Jay Richards and Erick Korsmo each went 2 for5 during the game for the Missionaries. Richards hit a double, while Korsmo belted his fourth home run of the season.

Willamette starting pitcher Brandon Simon (So., RHP, Los Angeles, CA/Pacific Hills HS) threw seven innings an improved to 6-2 on the season. He allowed 10 hits, struck out four batters and gave up four runs. Whitman starter Justin Weeks fell to 2-6.

The Bearcats led 3-0 after three innings and were never caught by the Missionaries. Even so, Whitman pulled within 6-4 with three runs in the top of the seventh, but WU answered with two runs in the bottom of the inning.

Source: www.willamette.edu