McMINNVILLE, Ore. – Longtime Northwest Conference foes got an early season preview of one another in a non-conference doubleheader Saturday night at Del Smith Stadium.
Linfield rallied to win both contests in the late innings, winning the opener 6-5 and the nightcap 4-2.
The Wildcats (7-1) and Lutes (2-4) won't face one another in a league contest until March 27-28. Based on Saturday's results, it was clear both clubs are again going to be contenders for the NWC crown this spring.
GAME 1: Linfield 6, PLU 5
Abi Proffitt's bases-loaded sacrifice fly in the bottom of the seventh inning carried the Wildcats to victory in the opener.
Kamryn Apling scored the winning run with two outs, completing a comeback from a late-inning 3-1 deficit.
Jordan Bennett earned the win in the pitching circle, closing out PLU by holding the Lutes hitless in the final frame.
Maddy Podnar pitched the first six innings, striking out four and walking four in a 102-pitch performance.
Kelsey Wilkinson had three hits and scored two runs while
Katie Phillips and
Katrina Johns both tapped a pair of base hits to fuel an 11-hit Linfield attack.
Kennedy Robillard went 3-for-3 at the plate to lead PLU. She was also the game's losing pitcher, giving up 10 hits in 5 2/3 innings of action.
GAME 2: Linfield 4, PLU 2
Tayah Kelley struck out eight batters on her way to a complete-game victory and
Katie Phillips went 3 for 4 at the plate, lifting the Wildcats to a second come-from-behind win over their northern rivals.
Linfield had chances to go in front early on, parking runners at second and third base with two outs in the third inning, but Phillips was tagged out at the plate attempting to sneak home following a passed ball.
PLU broke the ice in the fifth when Erin McGrath blasted a towering solo home run to center field off the pitch of Kelley. Two batters later, Nanea Kamala drilled a solo homer of her own, pushing the Lutes in front 2-0.
The 'Cats cut the margin in half in the fifth as Phillips zipped a low-lined single up the middle to score pinch runner
Chloe McDaniel from second base. Johns knotted the game at 2 with an RBI single to left field that opened the door for Wilkinson to score. Moments later, an errant throw back to the circle by Lutes catcher Casey Wright allowed to more Wildcats to cross the plate.
Linfield outhit PLU 8-4. The Lutes' two home runs were the only extra-base hits in the contest.
AHEAD
Linfield is back at home Saturday to battle NWC foe Whitworth in another non-conference twinbill. Action starts at Del Smith Stadium at noon with coverage on the Linfield Sports Network getting underway at 11:50 a.m.
