THOUSAND OAKS, CALIF. – Dominant in relief, Linfield reliever Matt McDonald retired 17 batters in a row to silence the Cal Lutheran Kingsman at Sparky Anderson Field. Entering in the fourth, McDonald did not allow a base runner and struck out five while the Wildcats bats came alive in the fifth to an eventual 5-2 victory in Game 1 of the non-conference three-game series. Wildcat pitchers allowed just one hit in the series opener. With the win, Linfield improves to 6-23 overall while Cal Lutheran drops to 18-11 on the season. The Kingsmen have now dropped six straight games.
 
RECAP

• Cal Lutheran took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Tanner Wright scored on a wild pitch with the bases loaded.
• The Kingsmen made it 2-0 in the third when Wright hit a sacrifice fly to right field that allowed Daniel Stauffer to tag-up from third.
• Linfield would score three in the fifth to take its first lead of the series. Alec Cook reach on a fielder's choice that scored Cameron Fox. Later in the inning Brian Cromwell doubled to left allowing Cook to score which tied the game. A single from Kurt Potter would later score Cromwell giving the 'Cats a 3-2 lead.
• Cason Cunningham started on the mound for the Wildcats. He threw the first 3.1 innings where he allowed two runs on one hit, he walked seven and struck out three.
• Matt McDonald would enter in the middle of the fourth. He went on to retire the next 17 batters he faced without allowing a baserunner. He did not allow a hit and struck out five in 5.2 innings of work.
• The 'Cats added to their lead in the sixth when Alec Cook pushed a bunt up the first base line that scored Fox for the second time.
• In the eighth, Linfield added another insurance run. Cromwell singled to center and Fox scored his third run of the game to give the Wildcats the eventual 5-2 victory.
• Wagner led all Linfield hitters going 3 for 4. Fox, Potter and Cromwell also had multiple hits for the Wildcats. Linfield out-hit Cal Lutheran 12-1.
• McDonald improves to 1-0 on the season in 17 relief appearances.
• Linfield has now won two of its last three games dating back to last weekend's win over Lewis & Clark.

NEXT
 
Linfield meets Cal Lutheran for two more games tomorrow at Sparky Anderson Field beginning at noon.