By: Ryan Lackey

NEWBERG, Ore. --- Zach Rapacz's three hits and a masterful performance from Tom Zarosinski in relief allowed the Bruins to mount a storming comeback and hand the Willamette Bearcats their first loss of the season on Sunday afternoon, 6-4. The comeback was doubly impressive considering the two heavy losses Willamette hung on the Bruins Saturday afternoon. On Sunday, though, the Bruins were simply too determined.

George Fox managed to score first, getting to Bearcats starter Jackson Watt in the second inning. Rapacz slashed his first hit – a single to left – and raced to second on a poor relay throw. Jake Thran dropped a beautiful bunt and beat the throw, putting runners on the corners for Mason Dunning, who guided a grounder into left field to bring home Rapacz and begin the scoring, 1-0.

Willamette, though, responded quickly, tying the score in the third on Troy Conway's RBI groundout. In the fourth, they added two more. Three-hitter Hunter Gallant singled and went all the way to third on a wild throw by Bruins starter Taylor Dunn. Hulking first baseman Tiras Koon made Dunn pay, getting his hands inside a fastball and depositing it far over the outfield fence.

Suddenly trailing 3-1, the Bruins kept the game close. In the fifth, Andrew Reichenbach led off with a single, and Mason Dunning did an excellent job of hitting behind the runner, as Reichenbach went to third on Dunning's groundout. Kadyn Nannini brought home Reichenback on a sharp single to slash the score to 3-2.

Koon, very much in-form, launched another homer in the sixth to boost Willamette's lead to 4-2, but the Bruins again rallied to tie the game in their half of the sixth. Jacob Woehler reached on an error by Conway and went to second on another error, this one by Watt, the pitcher. Rapacz singled in Woehler, and Thran singled to again put runners on the corners. This time it was Reichenbach who came through, slapping a single to right to score Rapacz and knot the game at 4-4.

After escapaing a tight jam in the Willamette eighth by walking Koon, the Bruins finally took the lead in the bottom of the frame. Rapacz walked and Reichenbach singled to put two runners on for Dunning, who knocked a single back through the box to score Rapacz. Riley McKean then singled to left to score Reichenback and put the game out of reach, 6-4.

Normally a starter, Tom Zarosinski pitched admirably in relief, striking out two and surrendering no hits over 1.2 innings of work, earning his first win of the season. Rapacz went 3-3 with three runs and an RBI, and designated hitter Reichenbach went 3-4 with a run and an RBI. Mason Dunning had two hits and two RBI.

Willamette stands at 12-1 with their first loss, 5-1 in conference. The Bruins improve to 6-7 overall and 4-2 in conference. They will look to build on the momentum of the win on Saturday when they travel to Whitworth.