News

Oregon Tech Drops Willamette in Eight Innings, 8-6

03.25.2010

SALEM, ORE. -- Oregon Tech was able to plate two runs in the eighth inning and hold off a Willamette rally to pick up an 8-6 decision over the Bearcats this afternoon in Salem. WU, ranked #18 in the nation in NCAA Division III, dropped their record to 15-5. Oregon Tech moved to 16-14 on the season.

Willamette trailed 6-3 heading into the bottom of the seventh. With the rain pounding and the wind whipping, the Bearcats found a way to tie the game with three runs on two hits and one Tech error.

A leadoff single and ensuing walk put runners at first and second. Next a wild pitch would put the Bearcats within two runs, 6-4.

Following another WU walk, the next batter hit a fly ball that was caught by Oregon Tech center fielder Brittany Cherry on a diving play in left center to save a run. WU’s Emily Bray singled with one out to load the bases. The next Bearcat batter hit a grounder to the shortstop and was thrown out at first, however, two runners scored on the play to tie the game 6-6 and send it into extra innings.

The two teams agreed to play the extra innings with the international tie-breaker rule, a runner starting on second base at the beginning of each half-inning. OIT kept its offense rolling in the top of the inning and scored two runs. The Owls used a walk and fielder’s choice to load the bases. Tech’s Andria Wheatley made it 7-6 on a sac fly that plated Cherry. Ashleigh Larson recorded the next RBI on another sac fly to score Bree Larson.

Down 8-6 and heading to the bottom of the eight, the Bearcats loaded the bases with one out, but did not score, as Tech relief pitcher Becca Anderson got Romero to hit a fly ball to Cherry in center field. Cherry made the catch and then threw out pinch-runner Yvonne Drabin at the plate as the Bearcat runner attempted to score from third.

The top of the order for OIT finished the game a combined 6-of-17 at the plate with six RBI. Jess Plummer led the Owls with a 3-for-4 effort at the plate, including a solo home run. Ashleigh Larson drove in three runs on a double. Andria Wheatley finished with two hits and two RBI, while Taylor Schmidt and Bree Larson also finished with two hits in the win.

Anderson picked up the win in relief for the Owls, going three innings and giving up three runs on three hits.

Information provided Courtesy Sara Brooks, WU sports info