McMINNVILLE, Ore. –
Claire Seats blasted a two-run home run in the third inning, giving the Linfield Wildcats all the run support they needed to defeat the Willamette Bearcats in a Northwest Conference makeup softball game Wednesday night at Del Smith Stadium.
Wildcats pitching ace
Tayah Kelley turned in another outstanding performance in the circle, striking out 10 Bearcats while recording her NCAA Division III-leading 10th victory of the season.
Linfield (16-2, 8-0 NWC) completed a four-game series sweep of Willamette (5-10, 3-7 NWC). Wednesday's game was postponed by rain on Feb. 26.
Linfield found the needed spark in the third inning.
Katie Phillips drilled a stand-up double to center field and Seats followed up minutes later with the game-winning home run, her third of the season.
The Bearcats cut the Linfield lead in half in the fourth, as Mia Lund drew a walk off of Kelley, then advanced to second when Kelley issued another free pass to Cassie Cosler. A single by Cora Erickson followed, buying Lund sufficient time to reach home.
Linfield came close to adding an insurance run in the sixth. Bearcats pitcher Jordyn Johnson gave up a walk to Seats on a full-count pitch.
Jenna Wong stepped in as a pinch runner and was pushed to third base on a floating single to right field by
Katrina Johns. But pinch hitter
Kaili Saathoff's at-bat with two outs resulted in a ground out into the glove of Cosler at first base.
Johnson (2-4) went the distance in the circle for the Bearcats. She logged four strikeouts and one walk while holding the Wildcats to just five hits.
Kelley, the Division III leader in strikeouts, logged her fourth contest this season with at least 10 strikeouts. She threw 112 pitches, 76 of them going as strikes, and allowed four hits and two walks. She raised her season record to 10-0.
Seats doubled, homered and drew a walk on her third plate appearance.
Brianna Majors had two of the Bearcats' four hits on the day.
NEXT
The Wildcats play a key four-game series this weekend at neighboring George Fox. The Bruins edged the Wildcats for the NWC crown last spring but Linfield had the last laugh, capturing the NWC Tournament title and with it, the conference's automatic berth to the NCAA Division III playoffs.
