SALEM, Ore. – Senior Jack Thomson hit a home run in his first at-bat and his last at-bat to set two new programs records, but it wasn't enough for Lewis & Clark College baseball to hold off Willamette University in a game one 9-6 Northwest Conference loss to start the three-game weekend series.   
 
THE BASICS
Willamette 9, Lewis & Clark 6  
(Lewis & Clark 20-11, 9-9 NWC)
(Willamette 19-7, 14-5 NWC)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

The Pioneers took an early 3-0 lead off back-to-back home runs in the first inning. Thomson hit a two-run shot over the left-field fence for home run number 16 of the season to break the single-season home run record that was held by Chris Dutton and stood for 36 years. Junior Luke Bass then hit a solo homer to center field to give Lewis & Clark the early lead.
 
The Pioneers added to their lead in the next inning when junior Jakob Ghammachi scored on a wild pitch to make the score 4-2. Willamette took the lead for good in the fifth after back-to-back doubles tied the game at four, and a fielder's choice scored the go-ahead run.
 
Down 9-4 in the top of the ninth, Thomson stepped to the plate with one out and fellow senior Jack Savant on first and hit his second home run of the game to right center and scored his program record 173^rd career run. It wasn't enough, as the Bearcats secured two quick outs to secure the win.
 
BY THE NUMBERS

• Thomson finished 2-2 with two home runs, two runs scored, four RBI, and three walks.
• Savant notched his third multi-hit game in the last four outings, hitting 3-5 with two runs.
• Bass moved into the Pioneer career home run top-10 with his 17^th career homer in the first inning.
• Lewis & Clark is currently in a tie for third place in the conference and still in position to make the NWC tournament, despite the loss.

WHO'S NEXT

The Pioneers return to Salem tomorrow for a doubleheader against the Bearcats. The first game is scheduled for noon.