TACOMA, Wash. – Linfield baseball entered its final game of Northwest Conference play still uncertain of its postseason fate with three spots waiting to be claimed in the NWC tournament. In a win-and-in rubber match with Pacific Lutheran, the Wildcats decided to control their own destiny with a 5-1 win Saturday at the Lutes' baseball field.
With the win, Linfield (18-15, 14-10 NWC) clinched a berth in the tourney and a share of the NWC regular season championship with top-seeded Pacific (23-13, 14-10 NWC), which fell 4-3 against George Fox Saturday afternoon. It's the program's first regular season title since 2017.
Linfield drew first blood on a first-inning
Branden Pasion RBI double to center field that scored
Tanner Jacques. The 'Cats put up a three-spot in the second inning on a throwing error by PLU's second baseman, a sacrifice fly by Jacques and another RBI double by Pasion.
The 'Cats extended their lead to five when
Mike LaVigne came around to score in the sixth inning on an RBI single down the left field line by
Ryan Kamp. Pacific Lutheran finally got on the board in the seventh when Ethan Keintz slapped a sacrifice fly to right to plate John Graham. Pasion worked his magic again in the ninth with his third RBI double of the game.
Pasion's three RBI tied his season high, accomplished two other times. He brings his season RBI total to 20 and is now tied for the team lead with
Daniel Kahn with 10 doubles. Kamp and
Garrett Moen both turned in two-hit performances.
The Linfield pitching staff was outstanding once again, holding PLU to five hits.
John Over threw 3 2/3 scoreless innings in a no-decision.
Skyler Manelski took the mound in the fourth. He went 2 1/3 innings, allowing just one hit to earn his third win of the season.
Gage Mack allowed the Lutes' lone run of the contest but limited the damage while
Colton Meyer tossed the final two frames to send the 'Cats to the postseason for the first time since 2018.
The 'Cats finished tied atop the NWC standings after being picked eighth in the preseason coaches poll.
NEXT
The Northwest Conference tournament will be hosted by Pacific on April 22-24 at the Boxers' Chuck Bafaro Stadium. The Boxers own the head-to-head tiebreaker against the 'Cats after taking two of three games on March 26-27. The rest of the tournament field is yet to be determined.
