CALDWELL, Idaho – Linfield wrapped up a long weekend at the College of Idaho with a 10-1 loss to the Yotes Sunday afternoon at Wolfe Field.
The College of Idaho drew first blood with two runs in the third inning. The Yotes blew the game open with five runs in the fourth, one in the seventh and two in the eighth. Skyler Sadora and Weston Miller collected three hits apiece. Sadora drove in three runs while Kirby Robertson had two RBI to lead the Yotes to the series sweep.
The Yotes outhit the Wildcats 17-6. The 'Cats picked up their only run in the sixth inning off a solo shot by
Branden Pasion. It was the first baseman's first home run of the season. He went 1 for 3 in the game to finish the season with a team-leading .326 batting average to go with 46 hits, 23 runs, 12 doubles and 27 RBI.
Tanner Jacques and
Noah Pawlowski notched two hits apiece to lead the team. Both of Jacques' hits were doubles.
Jackson Koons fell to 3-5 on the year after allowing five earned runs on eight hits in 3 1/3 innings. The lefty finished his freshman campaign with 25 strikeouts and a 4.50 ERA in 13 appearances and eight starts.
Logan Travis and
Brannan Meriwether each gave up two runs in an inning of work while
Skyler Manelski went 2 2/3 and allowed one run.
Linfield ends the season with a .500 win percentage at 20-20 overall. The 'Cats posted a 14-10 Northwest Conference record to claim a share of the regular season championship with Pacific. It was the program's first regular season title since 2017 and the first NWC Tournament appearance for the program since 2018.
Third-year head coach
Dan Spencer was named the NWC Coach of the Year, marking the 17
th time that a Linfield coach won the award.
Colton Meyer earned NWC Pitcher of the Year honors and was named a First Team All-NWC selection along with Jacques. Meyer went 4-0 on the mound as Linfield's primary closer. He finished with seven saves, 53 strikeouts and a conference-leading 1.63 ERA. Jacques batted .308 and led the 'Cats with 53 hits, 35 runs, 33 RBI and three homers.
Mike LaVigne represented the 'Cats as a second-team selection while Pasion, Manelski and
Daniel Kahn were tabbed as honorable mentions.
