Linfield softball is back and so is Tayah Kelley.
 
The senior flamethrower was named the Northwest Conference Softball Pitcher Student-Athlete of the Week on Monday, claiming an award she received six times during the 2022 season.
 
Kelley went 3-0 with a 0.94 ERA in the Wildcats' season-opening road trip to California. The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Second Team All-American and reigning NWC Pitcher of the Year tossed three complete games, claiming 26 victims via strikeout while walking just one batter.
 
In a 6-1 win at Pomona-Pitzer in Friday's season opener, Kelley struck out 10 batters and allowed just one run on six hits. She threw a one-hitter in an extra-inning shutout at Redlands, adding 12 more Ks to her weekend. The Myrtle Creek native was tested against a tough Claremont-Mudd-Scripps team on Sunday but limited the damage to pick up her third win in the circle.
 
Linfield (4-2) opens NWC play in Salem, taking on Willamette on Feb. 25-26. The 'Cats will host Lewis & Clark on March 4-5 for their first home series of 2023.