McMINNVILLE, ORE. – After a 16-hit blitzing in Game 1, it took extra-inning heroics from Cameron Fox to give Linfield a series victory over the Whitworth Pirates Saturday afternoon at Roy Helser Field. Despite gusty winds and scattered showers, the 'Cats put on a show many of those in attendance soon won't forget.
 
Thanks in part to losses by Willamette and Pacific Lutheran, the Wildcats (19-10, 14-5 NWC) leapt to the top of the Northwest Conference standings. With a handful of games yet to play, Whitworth remains just outside the playoff picture at 9-10 in league action and 18-12 overall.  
 
GAME 1: Linfield 14, Whitworth 4
With the long ball headlining the offense, Linfield ace Cason Cunningham paved the way for the 'Cats, striking out 13 over seven innings of work. Cunningham allowed just three base hits and struck out the side twice during the early innings. He improved to 4-1 on the season and continues to lead the nation in strikeouts with 81 on the yeaar.
 
The Wildcats gave Cunningham an early lead when they plated two runs in the first inning thanks to a fielder's choice by Ryan Pladson that scored Brady Rediger from third, and later on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Ryan Ross to score Scott Hilpert.
 
Solidifying a commanding lead in the sixth, Linfield scored five runs thanks to a combination of timely hitting from the bottom of the order and a three-run homer from Ben Andrews.
 
Already up 9-1 in the eighth, the Wildcats added to their lead by scoring five more runs in their last inning of offensive work. Alex Hendra-Brown hit his second home run of the season and Linfield coasted to an easy victory at Roy Helser Field.
 
Leading the way for the Linfield offense, Andrews knocked in four RBIs. Ross, Hendra-Brown and Hilpert combined for six RBIs as the 'Cats went on to win easily in McMinnville.
 
GAME 2: Linfield 3, Whitworth 2
An extra-innings classic was ended by one of the unlikeliest of heroes. Fox delivered a pinch hit, walk-off solo home run in the bottom of the 11th inning to push Linfield over Whitworth by a single run. Fox entered the ballgame with just one hit and was without an RBI before his game-winning blast.
 
Before the fireworks, both teams put on a showcase of terrific pitching and defense for more than nine innings. In the bottom of the 10th, Pladson connected with a ball deep to center field that would surely leave the park. Leaping to make the catch and crashing into the fence was Pirates center fielder Daniel Casanova, robbing Pladson of a homer. Two batters later, Jared Evans hit a towering fly ball to left that looked to be gone as well, only to see Pirates left fielder Jordan McGowan slam into the fence and reach above the yellow line snagging the would-be home run. Both incredible defensive plays kept Whitworth's hopes alive for another inning.
 
Linfield starter Riley Newman threw nine strong innings in which he only allowed two runs and struck out seven. Matt Strang entered the game in extras and breezed past the Pirates without allowing a hit over two innings.
 
Scoring in the second inning with two early runs, Linfield looked to be on its way to another offensive clinic. Evans plated Pladson on a fielder's choice and later Kekoa Kaulukukui did the same to score Ryan Ross from third.
 
Whitworth starter Mathew Young quieted the Linfield bats over nine innings, during which he only allowed five hits and struck out two.
 
After having incredible success at the plate in the first game Linfield found its offense stagnant through the majority of Game 2. Coming just a few feet from a game-winning homer the 'Cats needed one more try at the long ball, and found it in Fox.
 
NEXT: Linfield looks to extend its five-game win streak Sunday when the Wildcats and Pirates face off in the NWC Game 3 as well as a nonleague matchup. First pitch is scheduled for noon.