Baseball battles to make playoffs, defend conference title

Liam O'Connor ('27) takes a swing against Corban University at Volcanoes Stadium in Keizer, Oregon on April 15, 2025. Photo by Mac Childers.

The Willamette University baseball team has proven to be a force to be reckoned with in the Northwest Conference, claiming the 2024 title after finishing No. 2 in the regular season. Now, they’re clawing to make the conference tournament. 

Last year, the squad finished their season with an impressive 26-16 win-loss record and 49 home runs. The Bearcats defeated Whitworth University 8-4 in the championship game, earning the league's automatic bid into the NCAA Division III tournament. 

Sitting at No. 4 in the 2025 preseason poll, the Bearcats set out hoping for another stellar season. As the game stats and results have come rolling in, however, the ʼCats have pitched fans a few curveballs. For one, they’ve endured some serious point swings. For example, they went 0-11 then 11-0 against Pacific Lutheran University on March 29 and 30, and 12-11 and 2-17 against Whitworth on April 5 and 6. 

Infielder Charlie Ferbet (ʼ26) explained, “Baseball is a game of momentum, and being able to bounce back after a rough game is very important. It can be very unpredictable, and that's why it's great to play three games every weekend against the same team. Sometimes, for a variety of reasons, a game might not always go our way.”

On Friday, April 18, the Bearcats took on Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington. Luke Piazza (ʼ25) had two hits, including a grand slam, and drove in five runs, but the Bearcats fell to Puget Sound 7-10 in the opening game of their weekend series. Rocco Granucci (MBA ’26) led Willamette with three hits, and Nate Hamburger (ʼ26) scored three times for Willamette. 

On Saturday, April 19, the ʼCats had two more conference games against Puget Sound to complete their weekend series. The results were unfavorable —  6-7 and 4-5 — and sealed their No. 8 rank in the conference. Heading into the series, the squad was tied for No. 4.    

But the fight’s nowhere near over. Willamette has racked up a 10-11 conference record. Linfield, who are sitting at No. 4, three places above, have an 11-10 record. With three games left in the regular season, it’s anyone's season.

The Bearcats faced the No. 6 Pioneers at the Keizer Volcanoes Stadium on April 25 and 26, going 2-1 over the weekend.