SPOKANE, WASH. – Storming back with six runs in the eighth inning of Game 2, the Linfield Wildcats split a doubleheader with the Whitworth Pirates at Merkel Field. The 'Cats snapped a five-game losing streak and closed out Northwest Conference play with its largest come from behind win of the season (6-0).
Linfield earned its seventh win of the season and finishes conference play with a record of 7-28 overall (4-19 NWC). Whitworth ends the conference season with an overall record of 22-12 and will host the NWC tournament next weekend after taking the regular season conference crown at 19-5.
Wilson Miles produced a tremendous start from the mound in Game 1 but the Wildcats fell 2-1 to the Pirates in walk-off fashion. The 'Cats would bounce back and took Game 2, 9-7.
Cameron Fox delivered the eventual game-winning hit, a two-run homer that put Linfield up 8-7 in the eighth.
GAME 1 (2-1, Whitworth)
- The Wildcats jumped to an early 1-0 lead in the second inning when Cameron Fox singled through the left side and brought in Zach Cokos.
- Whitworth quickly tied the game in the third on a base hit to center from Ben Wintringer that scored Nicholas Nerud.
- Wilson Miles was dominant on the mound for Linfield. He threw 8.1 innings where he allowed two runs on eight hits. He walked three and struck out two but forced 12 ground-outs and seven fly-outs.
- Miles threw into the ninth inning where the Pirates got a leadoff double to left from Nerud. Linfield tried for a double play ball and intentionally walked Tanner Bailey. A bunt from Wintringer moved both runners into scoring position. Two batters later, a single down the line from Jaxsen Sweum drove in the game-winning run. Whitworth claimed the series with the walk-off win, 2-1.
- Just two pitchers were used in the game. Whitworth's Mathew Young threw nine innings where he gave up just the one run on seven hits with no walks and eight strikeouts.
- Alec Cook and Zach Cokos both had multiple hits in the game.
GAME 2 (9-7, Linfield)
- Whitworth scored the first six runs of the game. All six runs came in the third. Highlighting the inning were a pair of two-RBI singles from Cameron Isa and Tanner Bailey.
- Linfield began to chip away at the Whitworth lead in the fifth. A double from Cameron Fox drove in Zach Cokos to make it 6-1.
- In the following frame, Linfield cut the lead in half. Brian Cromwell scored on a fielder's choice from Wyatt Smith. Smith would score in the inning on a single to center off the bat of Cokos.
- Down 7-3 heading to the eighth inning Linfield produced its best inning of the season. With the bases loaded, Ayden Allen doubled to left and brought in Tanner Earhart and Smith to make it 7-6. Fox was next to the plate and hit a two-run homer (3) to give Linfield its first lead of the day. Two batters later, Levi Horner-Villa gave the 'Cats an insurance run with a solo shot which gave Linfield a two-run lead late, 9-7.
- The Pirates got the go-head-run to the plate in the ninth but Liam Herlihy closed the door on the Whitworth rally and picked up his second save of the season.
- Wildcat pitcher Callan McRae earned his first-career win. He threw 2.1 innings where he did not allow a hit.
- Five Wildcats had multiple hits in the comeback win. Fox led the way going 3 for 4 with three RBI and a run scored. Linfield out-hit Whitworth 13-10.
NEXT
Linfield meets Pacific on Monday night in McMinnville. First pitch for the non-conference game is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Roy Helser Field.
