McMINNVILLE, Ore. – Linfield tallied nine hits but fell 8-3 to Pacific Lutheran in both teams' season openers Friday at Roy Helser Field.
The Lutes struck first with three runs in the third inning. Andy Schmitz and Aaron Barber drove in the first two runs on sacrifice flies. Cole Trotignon doubled down the left-field line then came around to score when Ethan Keintz also drilled one down the left-field line for a triple.
The Wildcats answered in the bottom half of the inning.
Tyler Marr and
Ethan Rhoads led off the inning with back-to-back doubles to set up the top of the lineup.
Bodey Smith put the 'Cats on the board, sending Marr home from third base with a sac fly to right.
Garrett Moen followed with an RBI single to cash in Rhoads.
Pacific Lutheran scored five straight runs to take a comfortable lead. The Lutes added to their lead in the fourth inning with RBI singles from Schmitz and Barber. Schmitz also scored in the seventh following a single by Keintz.
The Lutes had four sac flies in the game. They picked up two more in the ninth to force Linfield to throw a sixth pitcher.
Linfield came away with a run in the bottom half of the ninth inning when
Cameron Skinner scored on an infield single by
Jake Hoskins. But it wasn't enough to spark Opening Day heroics for the 'Cats.
Skinner and Hoskins both went 2 for 4 while
Brett Joner also collected a pair of hits off the bench.
Lefty
John Over took the loss in his first start of the season. He went 3 1/3 innings, allowing five earned runs on five hits while striking out one.
Skyler Manelski made an early appearance, taking the ball from Over in the fourth and throwing 1 2/3 scoreless innings, striking out two Lutes along the way.
Logan Travis,
Steve Kovac,
Connor Nelson and
Aidan McCann all saw action on the mound.
The PLU pitching was as advertised. Spencer Howell earned his first win of the season, allowing two runs on five hits while striking out six in five innings. Wyatt Norris tossed four innings in relief to pick up the save.
NEXT
The 'Cats (0-1) and Lutes (1-0) will meet again on Saturday for a doubleheader starting at noon. Live coverage will be provided by the Linfield Sports Network.
