It was a typical season for Linfield softball in 2022, full of wins, awards, championships and a run into the playoffs.
 
The Wildcats (38-9, 25-3 NWC) completed the program's 18^th consecutive season with at least 30 wins and won their 17^th NWC regular-season championship under Jackson Vaughan, who was named the NWC Coach of the Year for the 12^th time in his career.
 
The 'Cats won their eighth NWC Tournament title in 11 seasons to earn an automatic berth to the NCAA Division III Championships. Their quest for a third national title ended in a loss to Belhaven in the championship game of the Marshall, Texas, Regional.
 
Nine players landed on the All-Northwest Conference Team, representing every position on the field. Four players earned All-Region X honors, including two who went on to be named All-Americans by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA).
 
With nearly every key player returning from last year's squad, Linfield is primed to replicate its success and make it back to the postseason.
 
"The kids have worked hard," said Vaughan about the team's preseason training. "We have so many players back that there's been good leadership with how we do things and how we operate on a day-to-day basis."
 
IN THE CIRCLE
One thing that's set in stone is Linfield's ace pitcher.
 
Tayah Kelley returns for her senior campaign. The reigning NWC Pitcher of the Year and Second Team All-American struck out 252 batters last season, setting a new single-season program record.
 
Kelley went 25-5 in the circle and led the NWC with a 1.78 ERA. She tossed 22 complete games and six shutouts while picking up a pair of saves in 180 2/3 innings pitched. She held opposing batters to a .181 batting average.
 
"Tayah has established herself as our clear No. 1," Vaughan said. "We had her take most of the fall off to get back to full speed. She's thrown well, and we hope she can continue to stay healthy and have a great year."
 
The No. 2 spot in the rotation is still up for grabs, and Vaughan will likely throw multiple pitchers in that role throughout the season. Sophomore Hailey Wadsworth and junior Tyler Warden saw the most action in 2022, combining for a 13-3 record to back up Kelley. Linfield fans can also expect senior Jordan Bennett to supply more innings.
 
"We've had some pitchers do well and then be a little inconsistent. I'm not sure how it's all going to turn out yet. Pitching against your teammates and in scrimmages is different than pitching in games where every pitch truly matters."
 
Graduate student Cheyenne Datan returns for her fifth year of eligibility and second season for the Wildcats. Newcomers Mackenzie Burke and Kelsie Williams may also get time in the circle at some point in the season.
 
GETTING THE BAND BACK TOGETHER
Linfield returns every starting position player from the 2022 squad except first baseman Abi Proffitt, who graduated last spring after being named an honorable mention on the All-NWC Team.
 
Three other student-athletes who received their diplomas in 2022 decided to take advantage of an extra year of eligibility thanks to COVID-19. Left fielder Katie Phillips, right fielder Baily Paul and shortstop Katrina Johns will lock down their positions for another year. All three are coming off First Team All-NWC seasons.
 
"We're excited they're all back. They're all huge components to what we do. I'm excited for what they all do in their fifth year."
 
A First Team All-American and the 11^th Wildcat to be named the NWC Player of the Year, Phillips batted .405 with 42 RBI as a true senior. She led Division III with 70 hits, which included 19 doubles, five triples and three home runs.
 
The Wildcats' leadoff hitter, Paul led the team with a .415 batting average and a .536 on-base percentage on her way to earning First Team All-Region X honors. She scored 52 times and finished 31 for 35 on stolen base attempts. Johns batted .354 and drove in 33 runs.
 
"There's nothing that surprises them. They keep adding little elements to their game."
 
With so much of the team back at Del Smith Stadium in 2023, the offense will look like those of recent years. There's a strong mix of both speed and power that should put pressure on opposing pitchers and defenses all season long.
 
"We're going to hit some home runs, but we're going to get a lot of doubles and stolen bases at the top of the lineup. The middle of the order will be more oriented for the long ball, and then we'll see how the bottom of the order shakes out."
 
Rounding out the key returners are senior third baseman Kamryn Mobley, senior catcher Emma Podliska and sophomores, center fielder Claire Seats and second baseman Brynn Nelson, who could also be an option to fill Proffitt's absence at first base. Mobley joined Kelley, Phillips, Paul and Johns on the All-NWC First Team as a junior while Nelson earned a spot on the All-Region X Third Team.
 
Baserunning has always been a strength for the 'Cats. Sophomore Tiani Wayton was a big impact as a pinch runner last year while freshman Natalie Brinda is expected to show off her speed in her debut season.
 
EXPECTATIONS FOR 2023
The expectations for Linfield softball haven't changed much from year to year. The main goal is to win the NWC Tournament to secure a spot in the playoffs. Once that's accomplished, the next goal is to see just how far this team can make it on its hunt for a national championship.
 
The road won't be easy. The premier teams in the NWC also bring back a lot of talent to challenge the 'Cats for the throne. Pacific Lutheran and George Fox also return fifth-year players while Whitworth, Lewis & Clark and Willamette aren't far behind in their development.
 
"This may be one of the tougher years from top to bottom. We're going to face a lot of tough competition, so we have to see how much better we can get between now and April. Nothing matters too much until you get to the conference tournament. We just have to prepare and keep getting better and hopefully play our best when April rolls around."
 
OPENING DAY APPROACHES
Ranked No. 12 in the NFCA Division III Preseason Top 25, the 'Cats open the 2023 slate on Feb. 17-19 in southern California when they take on Pomona-Pitzer, Redlands and Claremont-Mudd-Scripps.
 
"You're never quite sure how good you are until you start playing outside competition. We're ready to be tested to see where we're at."
 
Conference play begins in Salem with Linfield taking on Willamette on Feb. 25-26. The 'Cats will host Lewis & Clark for their home openers on March 4-5 before making the trip to Spokane to play at Whitworth on March 11-12.
 
"Our goal is to be competitive in every game and see some growth in the pitching circle. Offensively, we'll see what we need to continue to work on. Hitting is always a work in progress this time of year."
 
The 'Cats will take a break from NWC play on March 17-19 for six games at the Pioneer Classic in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. Their tournament schedule features matchups with nationally-ranked Trine (No. 2) and Washington-St. Louis (No. 23). Trine finished as the national runner-up to Christopher Newport last season.
 
"Softball is just one of those games. We can't take the game for granted. The better team doesn't always win. We've got to be sharp and compete on every pitch. We'll be on our toes every weekend."