TACOMA, Washington – The home season didn't get off to a pretty start, but the Puget Sound baseball team is poised for a big bounce back after losing the first game of a three-game Northwest Conference series against Willamette. The Bearcats won the first game, 13-0, Saturday afternoon. Puget Sound holds a 12-2 lead through six innings of the second game, which was suspended due to darkness and will resume at 11 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 24.

Puget Sound 0, Willamette 13

Mason Quinlan and Ryota Nishino both collected a pair of hits, but the defending NWC Tournament Champions rolled to a 13-0 win in the first game of the Northwest Conference season.

The Loggers had ample opportunity to put runs on the board. AJ Morioka led off the fourth inning by reaching third base on a throwing error. However, he was left stranded on base.

Puget Sound couldn't capitalize when it loaded the bases in the seventh inning. Quinlan led off with a single, and Tyler Brazelton immediately followed with a single of his own. Following a couple of outs, Nishino's single to left field filled the bases. However, Jackson Bolitho grounded out to end the inning.

Puget Sound 12, Willamette 2 (suspended through 6 inn.)

The Loggers posted seven runs in the first inning, and they plated three more in the fourth. The opening stanza was highlighted by Connor Dunn's two-run triple and Jack Gries' two-run double.

 In the fourth inning, Hunter Riley belted a two-run double to straight-away center field, which hit halfway up the fence.

Starting pitcher Tyler Huling worked four innings for the Logger, and he allowed just two earned runs. The game will resume at 11 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 24. The top three batters in the Logger lineup – Kyle Strash, Connor Dunn, Jack Gries – each have two hits so far.