SALEM, Oregon – Mikayla Newman went 5-for-6 at the plate for the day, and Hana DeGuzman totaled four steals when the Puget Sound softball team split a doubleheader Willamette Saturday afternoon.

Puget Sound 6, Willamette 2

Newman collected three hits in four at-bats and Maddy Garcia struck out seven in a complete-game effort to lead the Loggers to their second Northwest Conference win in the last three games.

The Loggers took a 2-0 lead in the first inning when Newman hit an RBI single to score DeGuzman, and Newman later came around to score on a wild pitch.

Newman began the third inning with a leadoff hit, and she advanced to third on a couple of Willamette errors. Savanna Smith knocked her in with a sac fly.

In the fifth inning, Noelle Kerry hit a single that scored Cameron Zell. Later, Abbi Wong picked up an RBI by driving in Kerr.

Four different Loggers picked up an RBI in the game, including two by Smith.

Puget Sound 6, Willamette 7

The Loggers totaled nine stolen bases – including three by DeGuzman – but all that pressure wasn't enough to get past the Bearcats.

The Loggers got the scoring started in the second inning. Kaitlyn Webster hit a leadoff single, and Kendall Gantz followed by getting hit by a pitch. The runners pulled off a double steal, and Kerr drove them both home with a double. Kerr later on came in to score on an error.

Newman hit a two-run double in the fourth inning, but the Bearcats scored three unanswered runs to take a 7-5 lead.

Puget Sound nearly tied it up in the seventh. DeGuzman drew a leadoff walk and then she stole second. Ueyama moved DeGuzman to third, and Newman drew a walk to put runners on the corners. Savanna Smith delivered an RBI single to the left side, but Willamette retired the next two Loggers to hold on for the win.

The Loggers and Bearcats have one more doubleheader Sunday, March 28.