McMINNVILLE, Ore. – A valiant comeback effort that saw the Linfield Wildcats score three runs in the bottom of the 10th inning fell just short Friday afternoon as the Texas Lutheran Bulldogs held on for a nail-biting 6-5 victory in Game 1 of the NCAA Division III McMinnville Oregon Super Regional at Del Smith Stadium.
 
Texas Lutheran (34-7) snapped Linfield's six-game playoff win streak, putting Linfield (38-7-1) in a must-win situation on Saturday The Wildcats need to defeat the Bulldogs twice in the best-of-three format in order to advance to next week's College World Series.
 
Game 2 is set for Saturday at 1 p.m. with a third game, if necessary, to follow at 3:30 p.m.
 
A three-run home run by Skylar Ouellette to lead off the seventh, the first of her career, proved to be the difference in a see-saw battle. The Wildcats held a 2-0 lead going into the seventh inning before the Bulldogs turned the game completely around. First, Ouellette gave TLU hope with her homer over the left-field fence to make the score 2-1. Then pinch hitter Bianca Cerda reached base on a fielder's choice, enabling Chassety to score the tying run.

After alternating dramatic moments in the scoreless eighth and ninth innings, the teams combined for seven runs in a rock-em, sock-em 10th. TLU managed five hits and capitalized on two Linfield errors to open up a 6-2 lead in the top of the frame. Rebecca Snow's two-run double ignited the four-run burst.
 
Linfield nearly pulled the game out. Kelsey Wilkinson dropped a bunt single to begin Linfield's half of the 10th and Katie Phillips followed with a single to put two runners aboard with no outs. Darian Stedman then blasted a towering home run to pull the 'Cats to within one run. After Makenna Clizer drew a walk, the Wildcats had a chance to win the game but pinch hitter Shakayla Snyder grounded out, Chelsea Horita popped out before TLU reliever Kayla Oliveira struck out Kamryn Apling to end the game.
 
Stedman went 3 for 4 and drove in four runs. Wilkinson also had a pair of hits for the 'Cats, who were outhit by the Bulldogs 11-8.
 
TLU starter Jordaine Bishop earned the win, lasting nine innings in the pitching circle. She surrendered eight hits and six walks while striking out three Wildcats. Oliveira, in her first action in more than a month, collected her first save.
 
Maddy Podnar, who came on in relief of Wildcats starter Shelby Saylors in the seventh, took the loss. She pitched 3 2/3 innings, striking out four but allowing five hits.
 
Oullette went 3 for 5 with two RBI. Raines, Kelly Jurden and Casey Martin also had a pair of hits for the Bulldogs.