Men’s Baseball:
The University of Puget Sound men’s baseball team started their 2016 season with a preseason tournament hosted by Linfield and Pacific on the days of February 6 and 7.
On the first day of the tournament the Loggers lost to George-Fox 5 to 7 and to Linfield 1 to 6. Linfield is currently ranked 14 in the nation.
In the first game against George-Fox the Loggers did not score until the fourth inning. Senior catcher Nick Funyak (Billings, Montana) was able to get on to base with a single and eventually advanced to third off a George-Fox error. Senior first-basemen Ben Jones (Berkeley, California) drove Funyak home with a single to short.
Senior second-basemen Chris Zerio (Pleasanton, California) finished with two hits on the day. Senior infielder Nathan Backes (Seattle, Washington) had a homerun and 2 RBI’s (runner batter home). Junior pitcher Collin Maier (Billings, Montana) was the starting pitcher for the Loggers. He went 3.2 innings striking out 4 batters and giving away 4 earned runs. He was charged with the loss.
Against Linfield the Loggers were held scoreless until the ninth inning. Junior pinch-hitter Matt Shellhammer (Billings, Montana) hit a solo shot to centerfield to the put the Loggers on the board. Junior pitcher Eric Crispell (Pleasanton, California) was the starting pitcher for the Loggers. He pitched four innings for the loggers striking out one batter. Crispell gave up no earned runs, but the Logger defense gave away two errors during the game that led to scores for Linfield.
On the second day of the tournament the Loggers got their first win of the season against Lewis & Clark with a score of 5 to 0. Freshman pitcher Tyler Huling (Issaquah, Washington) got his first win of his Loggers career pitcher five and one thirds innings. He struck out five batters while only allowing five hits. Funyak and Sophomore outfielder James Dejesus (Mililani, Hawaii) had 2 RBI’s each.
The Loggers lost their second game of the day to Pacific with a score of 8 to 3. Senior third-basemen Alex Sierra (Pasadena, California) started the scoring in the seventh inning off an error from the Pacific defense. Sophomore outfielder Cal Muramaru (Honolulu, Hawaii) finished the game with two RBI’s. Sophomore Merle Rowan-Kennedy (Seattle, Washington) was the starting pitcher for the Loggers, pitching three and one third innings.
The baseball team plays away at the College of Idaho on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14. Their first home game of the season is on Saturday 20 when they open up conference play against Lewis & Clark.
Men’s Basketball:
The University of Puget Sound men’s basketball team was away this weekend at Lewis & Clark and Willamette. The basketball team beat Lewis & Clark 76 to 69 and lost to Willamette 89 to 100. Their overall record is 12-9 and their conference record is 7-5. They sit fourth in the North West Conference Standings.
On Friday night against Lewis & Clark Freshman guard Jimmy Wohrer (Redwood City, California) lead the loggers with 22 points. Junior guard Carlos Mancasola (Redding, California) led the team in rebounding with seven. The loggers outshot Lewis & Clark with 46.3% field goal accuracy compared to the Pio’s 40.6%.
In the lost against Willamette Junior Power Forward Kyle King (Healdsburg, California) lead the team with 23 points. Senior guard Kohl Meyer (San Diego, California) finished with 10 rebounds for the Loggers. Puget Sound was held to 47.8% accuracy from the field while Willamette Shot 57.7% and 55% from the three point line.
The Loggers finish the regular season at home against Whitman and Whitworth on the third weekend of March.
Women’s Basketball:
The University of Puget Sound Women’s basketball team won both of their away games this weekend at Lewis & Clark 80 to 62 and Willamette 64 to 59. The weekend sweep has the Loggers overall record at 14-7 and their conference record at 9-3. The loggers are in second place in the Northwest conference leading third place Whitman by one game.
The Loggers dominated Lewis & Clark defensively holding the Pios to 37.5% from the field while out rebounding Lewis & Clark 39 to 29. Freshman point guard Samone Jackson (Edmonds, Washington) led the loggers in scoring 25 points. Senior point guard Emily Sheldon (Portland, Oregon) led the Loggers with 11 rebounds.
On Saturday the defense continued to hold the opposing team to under 40% accuracy from the field. The Loggers also out rebounded Willamette 39 to 32. Jackson and Samone each had 14 points. Senior forward Allie Wyszynski (Sammamish, Washington) tied for the most rebounds in the game with eight.
The Loggers finish the regular season at home against Whitworth and Whitman on the third weekend of March.