March 9, 2008

Box Score

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Outfielder Michelle Wrigley (Fr., Bothell/Inglemoor) had six hits, drove in three runs and scored three, to lead a 27-hit attack as Western Washington University swept an exhibition doubleheader with NAIA powerhouse Simon Fraser University, 9-6 and 7-6, on Sunday at Viking Field.

The Vikings, who are 12-5 in counting games, had 14 hits in the first game, three each by Wrigley and Caitlin Dotlich (Fr., Sedro-Woolley/Burlington-Edison), and 13 in the second contest, Wrigley again having three as well as Meghan Flem (So., Hood River, OR/Hood River Valley).

Wrigley finished 6-for-8 on the day and had the fielding play of the game, robbing Heather Riess of a home run in the fourth inning of the first game with an over-the-fence catch. Western had just one error in the two games, executing four double plays, three of them in the second contest.

The games were counters for Simon Fraser, which fell to 1-4. The Clan placed fourth at nationals last year after winning the national championship in 2006.

In the opener, Western scored five runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to take a 9-3 lead. The big blows in that rally were a three-run triple by Samantha Rutherford (Fr., Kenmore/Inglemoor) and a run-scoring double by Dotlich.

A three-run homer in the sixth by pinch hitter Marcie Bruder brought Simon Fraser within three, but Viking pitcher Emily Hardin (Fr., Bothell/Inglemoor) retired the next six batters for the complete-game victory. Hardin struck out five, walked five and allowed eight hits.

After Simon Fraser scored an unearned run in the first, Western put up three runs in the bottom of that frame. Wrigley brought in two with a single and scored on a single by Lisa Pendergrast (Sr., Burlington/Burlington-Edison).

The Clan tied the game at 3-3 in the second on a two-run homer by Jessie Harris, who had three hits.

An RBI-single by Dotlich in the third gave Western a 4-3 lead.

In the nightcap, Simon Fraser scored three runs in the top of the first, Meaghan Cumpstone driving in two with a single and scoring on a single by Carly Moir.

Western came back with four in the bottom of that inning, Wrigley, Flem and Dotlich each had run-scoring singles and another run scored on an error.

The Clan took a 5-4 lead with two runs in the second, one scoring on a fielder's choice by Carolyn Bell and another coming across on a single by Christine Barr.

Western went back in front, 6-5, with two runs in the fourth, but a solo home run by Simon Fraser's Reiss in the sixth knotted the score at 6-all.

The Vikings got the go-ahead run in the seventh when Flem led off with a double, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a single by Liza Teichler (Sr., Sammamish/Skyline).

Pitcher Jennifer Jorgensen (So., Bellingham/Meridian) went the distance for Western. She gave up 13 hits, the Clans' Chrissy Caviglia going 4-for-4, but was helped by three double plays.

Western returns to Great Northwest Athletic Conference action Thursday (1:30 p.m.) with a doubleheader at Northwest Nazarene University.