TUCSON, Ariz. – The third-ranked Linfield Wildcats saw their glossy 11-game win streak snapped Friday afternoon at the NFCA Leadoff Classic.
 
After disposing of Emerson (Mass.) by a 5-3 count to open the tournament, Linfield watched a four-run lead melt away in the late going on the way to a 13-8 defeat at the hands of Berry (Ga.).
 
Kelsey Wilkinson had four hits on the day to pace Linfield offensively. Freshman Tayah Kelley picked up her second pitching win of the season in the opener.
 
Linfield 5, Emerson 3
Kelley combined with Wildcats starter Clarissa Wolfe for seven strikeouts on the way to a four-hit pitching victory during Linfield's opening contest at the Leadoff Classic.
 
Wolfe earned her first career start in the circle, tossing the first four innings. Kelley (2-0) took over in the fifth, fanning four Lions while holding them without a run over the final three frames.
 
Kelsey Wilkinson went 2 for 2 with a walk. Katie Phillips and Baily Paul each hit triples to drive home runs.
 
Emerson pitcher Karagan Knowles held the high-powered Wildcats to six hits while striking out five.
 
Emerson got the jump on Linfield in the first inning, plating three runs, before the Wildcats pulled to within 3-2 in the third on the strength of Phillips' RBI triple and a Lions' fielding error that led to a run.
 
Linfield put the game on ice with a three-run fifth inning that saw Wilkinson lead off with a double and Baily Paul drill a triple to score two runs.
 
Haylee Baker and Chelsea Horita also logged base hits in the game. Wilkinson and Makenna Clizer each recorded stolen bases, raising the Wildcats' number of season thefts to 27.
 
Berry 13, Linfield 8
The Vikings erupted for 11 runs in the late innings to hand the Wildcats their first loss of the season.
 
Linfield pounded 10 hits in the game but a trio of Linfield pitchers allowed 13 hits, five walks and three home runs. The 'Cats were also shaky defensively, piling up a season-high four fielding errors.
 
Linfield led 6-2 heading to the bottom of the fifth inning when Berry piled up hits and scored six times to assume command.
 
Jordan Bennett, who relieved Wildcats starter Maddy Podnar midway through the inning, found the Vikings eager to swing for the fences. The freshman righthander allowed eight hits and nine runs, including a grand slam home run by Samantha Crabtree. Bennett (3-1) lasted just 1 2/3 innings before giving way to Eliza Rossman in the seventh. By then, the damage had been done with the Vikings owning an 11-6 advantage.
 
Kamryn Apling doubled twice and Haylee Baker hit her first collegiate home run in the first inning. Wilkinson, Phillips and Clizer also tapped a pair of hits to lead Linfield at the plate.
 
NEXT
Play continues at the Leadoff Classic with two more scheduled games on Saturday. At 5 p.m. PST, the Wildcats square off against Piedmont (Ga.) before facing St. Benedict (Minn.) at 7 p.m. PST.