TUCSON, Ariz. – Morning rain washed away what remained of the NFCA Leadoff Classic on Sunday, cancelling two high-profile matchups for the Linfield Wildcats.
Linfield was to have faced defending national champion and top-ranked Texas Lutheran on Sunday immediately following a matchup against Emory (Ga.), last season's NCAA Division III runner-up.
The rain in the Tucson area Sunday morning was severe enough for city officials to scratch all remaining games at eight different fields, leaving many clubs short two games on their 40-game schedules.
Linfield did manage to complete Saturday night's suspended game against the College of St. Benedict early Sunday morning, though finishing off the Bennies wasn't as easy as expected.
Linfield 4, College of St. Benedict 3, completion of suspended game
Linfield led CSB 3-0 in the sixth inning Saturday night when the game was halted by a darkness curfew. It appeared the Wildcats would defeat the Bennies without too much difficulty, but St. Benedict had other ideas when the teams returned to Lincoln Park on Sunday morning.
A three-run homer in the top of the sixth inning by the Bennies' Olivia McCabe changed everything, knotting the game at 3.
The Wildcats manufactured the winning run in the seventh.
Kelsey Wilkinson singled and then stole second base.
Katie Phillips stepped to the plate and delivered a walk-off single to right field, pushing Wilkinson home with the game-clinching run.
Linfield rode the hot-hitting of Wilkinson, who went 3 for 3 at the plate and scored three times. She also stole four bases.
Abi Proffitt hit two singles, and
Haylee Baker,
Makenna Clizer and
Baily Paul also produced base hits for the 'Cats, who outhit the Bennies 9-5.
Linfield southpaw
Maddy Podnar started and finished the game in the pitching circle. She earned her sixth win of the season against no losses, striking out six but walking seven CSB batters.
Ally Hjort was tagged with the loss to fall to 1-4. Jordyn Swoboda had two hits to lead CSB at the plate.
NEXT
Linfield (12-2) returns to Del Smith Stadium for a weekend series against the Puget Sound Loggers. Action on Saturday starts with a doubleheader at 12 noon. The team complete the four-game series on Sunday with a pair of games starting at 11 a.m.
