McMINNVILLE, ORE. – An early fight from the Linfield Wildcats was washed away by a six-run sixth inning for the Willamette Bearcats who went on to win 14-4 at Roy Helser Field. The 10-run win for Willamette gave the Bearcats the series win 2-1. With the loss, Linfield drops to 4-11 (2-7 NWC). Willamette improves to 10-4 (7-2 NWC) in 2019.
RECAP
- Linfield starter Austin Thomas was the first of seven Wildcat pitchers used in the game. Thomas threw two innings where he allowed three runs.
- In the top of the second, Willamette's Erick Waldichuk hit a towering three-run home run over the wall in center on a 0-2 count with two outs to give the Bearcats an early lead.
- Linfield would rally and plated one in the bottom of the second when Tanner Earhart singled up the middle and brought in Wyatt Smith.
- The 'Cats cut the Bearcats lead down to one when Brian Cromwell and Ben Whitt teamed up to hit back to back doubles in the third.
- Working out of multiple high-stress innings, Linfield found a way to hang with Willamette thanks to clutch situational pitching from Matt McDonald who forced a bases loaded double play in the third.
- Willamette would take advantage of three Linfield errors in the sixth and scored six runs on just two hits.
- The Bearcats would tack on five more runs in the eighth and ninth to an eventual 14-4 win over the Wildcats.
- Willamette starting pitcher Nathan Gilman went five innings where he allowed two runs on five hits. Reliever Benjamin Whitten tossed three scoreless innings where he allowed just one hit.
- Two Linfield batters registered multiple hits. Cameron Fox went 2 for 5 with an RBI and Alec Cook hit 2 for 3.
NEXT
Linfield travels to Newberg, Ore. next weekend to take on the George Fox Bruins. Game one of the three game series begins at noon on Saturday from the Morse Athletic Fields.
