FOREST GROVE, Ore. – They were picked eighth in the preseason poll, but now the No. 2-seeded Linfield Wildcats find themselves in the driver's seat with a 5-2 win over the top-seeded and host Pacific Boxers Saturday afternoon at Chuck Bafaro Stadium.
Linfield is one win away from a Northwest Conference Tournament championship and an automatic berth to the NCAA regionals. The last time the Wildcats won the NWC Tourney was in 2017. They await the winner of Saturday's elimination game between Pacific and No. 4 Pacific Lutheran, with the championship game set to start at noon on Sunday. The winner between the Boxers and Lutes will need to beat the 'Cats twice to claim the tournament title.
The 'Cats struck first with a
Branden Pasion two-run double to right center field that scored
Brett Joner and
Garrett Moen. Their regular season co-champion counterparts tied the game at 2-2 with runs in the fourth and fifth innings.
The score remained tied going into the ninth, but Linfield had no plans on playing extra-inning baseball. Pasion took back the lead for the 'Cats when he drove Joner in with his second double of the afternoon.
Daniel Kahn followed right after with a two-run two-bagger of his own to extend the Linfield lead to three.
Pasion notched a game-high three RBI. He, Moen and
Mike LaVigne all turned in two-hit performances.
Linfield starter
Andrew Del Biaggio was the X factor. He tossed six strong innings, allowing two runs on five hits while striking out three.
Skyler Manelski picked up his fourth win of the season after two scoreless innings pitched while
Colton Meyer shut the door on his seventh save. Meyer has recorded four saves in his last five outings.
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The 'Cats improved to 20-15 overall (14-10 NWC) with the win. They continue to be road warriors in 2022, sporting an 11-6 record in away games.
