McMINNVILLE, Ore. – Lewis & Clark made the plays it needed to for the better part of 16 innings on Saturday, capturing both sides of a Northwest Conference doubleheader from the host Linfield Wildcats at Linfield's Roy Helser Field.
 
The Pioneers improved to 3-3 for the season, both overall and in NWC play. Linfield dipped to 3-9 and 1-3 versus conference opponents.
 
Fifth-year senior Levi Horner-Villa and newcomer Reid Sturn each produced three hits on the day for Linfield.
 
GAME 1: Lewis & Clark 10, Linfield 5
With everything seemingly going the Pioneers' way, the Wildcats found themselves facing a 10-2 deficit in the seventh inning. To their credit, they made a game of it with three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to very nearly force extra innings.
 
Coach Dan Spencer and the coaching staff cycled through five pitchers during the high-scoring game. Wildcats starter Colton Meyer lasted just 1/3 of an inning before being pulled in favor of Callan McRae. Evan Bates, Cody Stevenson and Sam Adams all followed, as Lewis & Clark seemed to consistently make contact with the ball, no matter who was pitching.
 
Tyler Gannon went 3 for 5 with four RBIs to lead the Pioneers at the plate.
 
Horner-Villa had two hits and drove in a pair of runs for the 'Cats.
 
GAME 2: Lewis & Clark 6, Linfield 1
Sturn, a freshman from Gig Harbor, Washington, accounted for three Linfield hits but the Wildcats couldn't overcome a five-run third inning by Lewis & Clark.
 
Both teams finished with seven hits and each were the victim of three errors.
 
Gage Mack pitched five innings in a starting role. He spread out five hits to go with four walks, striking out two Pioneers batters. Reliever Gavin Ludlow limited L&C to two hits over the final two frames in his first action of the season.
 
Sammy Benbow had two hits, including a home run, to carry the Pioneers to the victory.
 
NEXT
Linfield and Lewis & Clark return to Helser Field on Sunday for two more games starting at 12 noon. The opening game will be a nine-inning contest while the nightcap will last seven innings.