McMINNVILLE, Ore. – The Linfield baseball team outhit Eastern Oregon, but the Wildcats couldn't drive in enough runs in a 6-2 loss to the Mountaineers to open the 2022 campaign Friday afternoon at Roy Helser Field.
Eastern Oregon jumped on Linfield starter
Andrew Del Biaggio early, putting up three runs in the top of the first inning. Austin Gerding got things going with a leadoff double to left field. He came around to score later in the inning on an RBI single to right by Matt Garcia. Two batters later, Hector Carreon slapped his first home run of the season to get the Mountaineers off to a comfortable 3-0 lead.
Del Biaggio settled in on the mound after the long first inning, tossing four straight scoreless frames without giving up a hit. The junior finished his first start of the season with three earned runs allowed on four hits with one walk and six strikeouts in the loss.
The Mountaineers picked up two more runs in the sixth inning on a McKlane Elgin RBI single to left and a Brooks Dyer sacrifice fly to right. They scored their sixth run of the game in the eighth when Garcia drove in Gerding with a sac fly to center.
The Wildcats scored both of their runs in the seventh inning. Sophomore utility player
Daniel Kahn led the inning off with a double to left-center then advanced to third on an infield single by senior first baseman
Branden Pasion. Sophomore second baseman
Mike LaVigne reached on a fielder's choice to score Kahn and then came around to score on a double to left-center by junior designated hitter
Cameron Skinner.
The 'Cats outhit the Mountaineers 9-7 but couldn't capitalize on scoring opportunities. Skinner went 2 for 3 with a walk while Kahn and Pasion each went 2 for 4 with a walk. Sophomore
Jarrett Allen and senior
Skyler Manelski both pitched scoreless frames in relief. Allen struck out all three of his victims while Manelski fanned two.
Michael Bennett earned his second win of the season on the rubber for Eastern Oregon, allowing four hits to go with three walks, a hit batter and a strikeout in five scoreless innings.
NEXT
The 'Cats (0-1) and Mountaineers (3-2) will meet at Roy Helser Field again on Saturday before closing the series on Sunday. Both games will start at 1 p.m.
UPDATED OUTDOOR SPECTATOR POLICY
COVID cases are declining in Oregon, however, we still need to continue to ensure that all members of our community remain as healthy as possible during the COVID pandemic. Therefore, Linfield Athletics is adjusting our current outdoor athletic contest spectator policy to the following:
Protocols include:
- All individuals (age 5 and over) entering any athletics venue must provide proof of COVID-19 full vaccination (a photo is acceptable) along with photo identification. No exemptions are allowed. Proof of a booster is not required yet.
- Due to the COVID-19 vaccine policy for Linfield faculty, staff and students, Linfield individuals must simply show their current Linfield ID for admittance into athletics venues.
- According to Linfield University policy, masks must be worn by spectators (age 5 and over) if physical distancing cannot be maintained while outdoors, unless actively eating or drinking.
- Concessions will be available.
More information about Linfield University's COVID-19 response can be found at linfield.edu/covid.
