SALEM, Ore. — The Loggers rallied with 17 hits in the double loss at Willamette University on Sunday falling to scores of 5-2 and 9-6.
Game 1: Puget Sound 2, Willamette 5
Willamette managed to score two unearned runs due to an error in the outfield in the bottom of the first. Then, in the top of the second inning, Puget Sound rallied with two hits but failed to score. Willamette's defense held strong, preventing any further runs.
The game progressed with both teams struggling to score until the top of the fourth inning when Puget Sound managed to score a run, closing the gap to 1-2.
However, Willamette responded in the bottom of the fourth inning, capitalizing on an error and adding two more runs to extend their lead to 4-1.
In the top of the sixth inning, Puget Sound made a push, scoring a run to bring the score to 2-4, but Willamette countered in the bottom of the sixth inning with another run, extending their lead to 5-2.
Puget Sound failed to score in the top of the seventh inning, and Willamette closed out the game securing the victory with a final score of 5-2.
Game 2: Puget Sound 6, Willamette 9
It was a back-and-forth battle from the start for Puget Sound as they faced off against Willamette. In the top of the first inning, Puget Sound kicked off the scoring with Claire Besancon drawing a walk and eventually coming home on a passed ball, putting them up 1-0.
However, Willamette quickly responded in the bottom of the first inning, taking advantage of an error to tie the game at 1-1.
Puget Sound regained the lead in the top of the second inning with a burst of offense, highlighted by Kimora Phillips' two-run double, pushing the score to 3-1.
But Willamette fought back once again in the bottom of the second inning, capitalizing on errors and timely hitting to score three runs and take a 5-3 lead.
The game remained tight, with both teams adding a run in the fifth inning, but Willamette extended their lead further in the bottom of the fifth, making it 8-4.
Puget Sound made a late rally in the top of the seventh inning, scoring two runs, but it wasn't enough to overcome Willamette's lead, ultimately falling short with a final score of 6-9.
The Puget Sound softball team is scheduled to return to Logger Field for a four-game series against Lewis and Clark College on April 27-28.