SALEM, Ore. – A 4-1 win in the 2011 season finale gave the University of Puget Sound baseball team its best finish in the Northwest Conference since realigning to Division III in 1996. The Loggers (17-17, 15-9 NWC) took down Willamette 4-1 behind a strong outing from Nathan Aguiar, who had a shutout through seven innings.

The Loggers finished 15-9 in conference play, which also equates to the best conference winning percentage under head coach Brian Billings. Previously, the Loggers had twice finished 14-10 and finished third in the NWC in 2006.

"I told the team after the game that we're not necessarily the most talented team in the conference, but we were like a brotherhood. We all played for each other this year," said head coach Brian Billings. "The focus was on winning this year. There wasn't any selfishness, which led to those come-from-behind wins and more consistency as a team from week-to-week."

Aguiar tossed 7.1 innings for his longest outing of the season and picked up the win to finish 3-3 on the year. The sophomore righty allowed just four hits to the Bearcats (21-16-1, 12-12 NWC) and one run in the bottom of the eighth. He also recorded four strikeouts. Alex Baugh tossed the final 1.2 innings to record his first save of the season.

"Nate (Aguiar) really came into his own this year. He's gotten more comfortable and more consistent with his starts," added Billings. "He's kind of been our 'tough-luck guy' since we haven't given him a lot of run or defensive support this year, but we're excited about his future and our pitching staff's future as a whole."

Aguiar and Chris Torgerson engaged in a scoreless pitcher's duel through the first four innings until the Loggers broke through for two runs in the fifth. Neither pitcher allowed a baserunner until Aguiar plunked a batter in the bottom of the third. The Loggers did not have a baserunner until the fifth.

Jeff Walton and Casey Coberly opened the fifth with back-to-back singles before Walton was forced out at third on a fielder's choice. Nick Cherniske came through with an RBI-single and Craig Driver brought in a second run in the next at-bat with a sacrifice fly.

Coberly wasn't done in the fifth as he went on to go 3-for-4 with a run and an RBI in the ninth. Driver also added another RBI in the ninth when he drew a bases loaded walk.

TC Lee plated the Bearcats only run with a bases loaded RBI-single in the bottom of the eighth. Torgerson went seven innings and allowed four hits and two runs (one earned) while striking out three.

The Loggers will lose five seniors next year but return a strong core, including six starters in the field and all but one pitcher.