McMINNVILLE, Ore. –
Tayah Kelley struck out 10 batters to earn a complete-game pitching victory, helping the Linfield Wildcats forge a split of their nonconference doubleheader with Warner Pacific Sunday afternoon at Del Smith Stadium.
Both games were decided by one run. Linfield (3-1) dropped the see-saw opening game by an 8-7 count before limiting Warner Pacific (2-2) to three hits in the nightcap.
Katrina Johns had four hits to lead the Wildcats in the twinbill, which began three hours after its scheduled start time due to wet field conditions.
GAME 1: Warner Pacific 8, Linfield 7
Warner Pacific jumped on Linfield starter
Maddy Podnar from the get-go, plating three runs in the first inning, two which came by way of bases-loaded walks.
Linfield cut the margin to 3-2 in the third when
Kamryn Apling zipped a single to center field that scored two runs.
After WPU went in front 5-3 in the top of the fifth, Linfield answered in the bottom of the inning as
Baily Paul and
Katrina Johns each drove in runs to knot the game at 4.
The Knights surged in front once more in the sixth, cashing in on an error and RBIs from Macy Besuyen and Jamie Carlson to move in front 6-4. Warner Pacific added a pair of insurance runs in the seventh to put the game out of reach.
In the bottom of the seventh, Apling tripled to center field then scored on a sacrifice RBI by Paul. Johns followed up with a double and later reached home on a wild pitch, pulling the Wildcats to within two runs, 8-6.
Abi Proffitt singled to right field to send
Kamryn Mobley home and Emma Podliksa added a single to left field, placing runners at first and second with two outs.
With game hanging in the balance, pinch hitter
Shakayla Snyder stepped to the plate but her deep ball sailed to left field where it settled into the glove of Sarah Stanfill for the final out.
Podnar pitched six innings, allowing eight hits and five walks. She struck out five batters in a 128-pitch effort.
Offensively for the Wildcats, Apling went 3 for 3 while Johns was 3 for 4.
Katie Phillips and Apling both recorded triples in the contest.
Melia Croydon earned the pitching victory for WPU. She gave up 11 hits and three walks to the Wildcats. With two hits each, Carlson and Payton Hergert paced the Knights' 8-hit attack.
GAME 2: Linfield 2, Warner Pacific 1
Kelley earned a three-hit victory in the nightcap, including strikeouts of the final two batters in the seventh.
Linfield got on the scoreboard in the third inning. Mobley reached base on an error, then was pushed to second base by
Haley Gutierrez, who singled to right field. A full-count single by
Kelsey Wilkinson allowed Mobley to take an early 1-0 lead.
Hergert blasted a home run over the left-field wall in the fourth inning, tying the game at 1.
Podliska's timely hit gave the 'Cats a 2-1 advantage in the fourth. The sophomore designated player laced a double to left field to drive home Johns all the way from first base.
The Wildcats outhit the Knights 5-3. Wilkinson, Johns, Proffitt, Podliksa and Gutierrez each accounted for hits in the game.
NEXT: Linfield hosts Bushnell University (formerly Northwest Christian) Wednesday at 4 p.m. Per Northwest Conference protocol, no spectators are permitted at the venue.
A live video webcast and live statistics are available starting at 3:50 p.m.
