McMINNVILLE, Ore. – Linfield launched seven home runs on Saturday, including a grand slam by Emma Podliska, and freshman Tyler Warden spun a five-inning no-hitter in her first collegiate pitching start to help the fifth-ranked Wildcats overpower Willamette in a pair of truncated Northwest Conference games at Del Smith Stadium.
 
Linfield (31-5, 20-4 NWC) notched the program's 17th season of at least 30 wins, taking the opener by a 15-3 count before dominating Willamette 11-0 in the nightcap. Both games were shortened to five innings by the eight-run rule.
 
After losing 7-6 to Willamette (4-26, 3-21 NWC) in Friday's series opener, the Wildcats reeled off three consecutive run-rule victories, outscoring the Bearcats by a combined total of 33-4 to close the series.
 
GAME 1: Linfield 15, Willamette 3, 5 innings
Kelsey Wilkinson smacked a home run to lead off the Linfield half of the first inning, igniting an eight-run explosion by the Wildcats. The burst included Podliska's first career four-run blast plus another home run by Katie Phillips, the third of the season for the junior from Tustin, California, and 15^th of her career.
 
Linfield padded its lead with two more runs in the fourth inning. Phillips and Kamryn Apling took turns driving in runs, extending the Wildcats' lead to 10-0.
 
In the fourth, Kendra Knapp singled to drive home Willamette's initial run. Apling answered in the bottom of the frame with a double that plated two Linfield runs, part of a five-run scoring spree in the inning. The Bearcats added a pair of inconsequential runs in the fifth, but it was too little, too late.
 
Apling went 3 for 3 at the plate, drove in three runs and scored three times. Phillips and Jenny Ball both chipped in with a pair of hits, part of a 13-hit effort by the Wildcats.
 
Wildcats starter Tayah Kelley struck out three Bearcats and walked one on the way to logging her NWC-leading 13th pitching victory of the season. She scattered seven hits.
 
Bearcats starter Sarah Smith (0-2) pitched the entire game. She recorded one strikeout and yielded four walks.
 
GAME 2: Linfield 11, Willamette 0, 5 innings
Warden, a seldom called-upon freshman from Monroe, Oregon, struck out three WU batters and allowed one walk as Linfield rolled to its third straight five-inning romp over Willamette.
 
Katrina Johns drilled two home runs on consecutive at-bats and Abi Proffitt added a round-tripper of her own as the Wildcats forged a 6-0 lead during the game's first three innings.
 
The Wildcats piled on five more runs in the fourth inning to open up an 11-0 advantage.
 
Johns went 3 for 3 and drove home five runs. Wilkinson etched a pair of base hits, scored twice and swiped two bases.
 
The Wildcats swatted seven home runs on the day, including four in Game 2.
 
NEXT
NWC title contenders Linfield and George Fox prepare to tangle in a four-game home-and-home series. On Friday, the teams square off in a doubleheader at Morse Field in Newberg. The 'Cats and Bruins then play a twinbill Monday afternoon at Linfield's Del Smith Stadium. Action starts at 1 p.m. both days. The regular-season champion will automatically earn the right to host the NWC Tournament, Thursday-Saturday, May 6-8.