Willamette Bombs UPS in Softball Doubleheader

Nikki Franchi was solid in the circle for Willamette winning both games for the Bearcats.

Nikki Franchi went 6 for 9 at the plate and improved her pitching record to 12-2 in WU's sweep of Puget Sound. Photo courtesy: WU Athletics

TACOMA, Wash. - Combining for six home runs and 24 runs on the day, the Willamette Bearcats couldn't be stopped as they swept the Puget Sound Loggers in a Northwest Conference softball doubleheader, 7-2 and 17-7, on Saturday at Logger Softball Field in Tacoma.

In the first game, senior Valarie Barone (San Jose, Calif./Leigh) hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the first to give the Loggers an early 2-0 lead but Willamette answered back, scoring seven unanswered runs. On top of a potent WU offense, Nikki Franchi was solid in the circle for Willamette, striking out 14 UPS batters and allowing just four hits to collect the win. And Doerflinger (Juneau, Alaska/Juneau-Douglas) took the loss, allowing seven runs, just one earned, on nine hits with three strikeouts.

In the second game, it looked like the Loggers might get the win as they used a five-run second inning and two more runs in the bottom of the third to take a 7-4 lead over Willamette. Then, much like the first game, the Bearcat bats awoke to the tune of two runs in the fourth, eight runs, including four home runs, in the sixth and three more runs in the seventh as WU took the 17-7 win. Franchi again collected the win, pitching four and one-third innings of scoreless ball with four strikeouts. Auriel Sperberg (Tacoma, Wash./Graham-Kapowsin) took the win for UPS, allowing 11 runs, nine earned, on 13 hits in five-plus innings pitched.

The Loggers return to action on Sunday but it won't get any easier as they play host to the defending national champion Linfield Wildcats. First pitch is set for noon at Logger Softball Field.

Willamette will play in Tacoma again on Sunday, April 13 and Monday, April 14. On Sunday, the Bearcats will take on Pacific Lutheran University in a doubleheader at 12 p.m. (PDT). On Monday, Willamette and Puget Sound will make up a doubleheader originally scheduled for March 15 at Willamette. WU will bat last in both games, with the action starting at 2 p.m. (PDT).

Source: UPS Athletics

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