SALEM, Ore. – Completing an impressive Northwest Conference series sweep, the Linfield Wildcats handed the Willamette Bearcats a pair of defeats at the WU diamond on Monday. The Wildcats finished off a game that had been halted by rain, emerging with a 10-4 victory in what was the completion of a suspended game from Sunday. The ninth-ranked Wildcats continued their torrid offensive output in Game 4, logging an 11-2 win in a game shortened to six innings by the eight-run rule.
In all, the Wildcats outscored the Bearcats 44-7 in the series, running their currently win streak to 14 games. Linfield sits at 18-2 at the midway point of the season, including an 8-0 mark in the NWC.
GAME 1: Linfield 10, Willamette 4
Led by
Katie Phillips' two home runs, the Wildcats hit five roundtrippers in the contest. Phillips accounted for four RBIs.
Brynn Nelson and
Baily Paul added homers of their own, two Linfield's 12 total hits in the game.
Kaili Saathoff and
Katrina Johns also had a pair of hits.
Tiani Wayton recorded her 13th stolen base of the season.
Tyler Warden earned the win in the pitching circle, boosting her season record to 6-1. She allowed four hits and one walk while fanning four Bearcats.
Mackenzie Burke picked up her first career save in relief.
GAME 2: Linfield 11, Willamette 2, 6 innings
Linfield showed no mercy in the series finale', producing a dozen hits and 11 runs. Trailing 1-0 after two innings, the Wildcats rung up eight unanswered runs over the next four frames to seize command.
Tayah Kelley (12-0) earned her third win of the series, striking out nine batters while yielding seven hits and one walk.
Hailey Wadsworth came on in relief in the sixth, striking out two of the final three batters to close out the Bearcats.
Nelson went 3 for 3 with a pair of doubles and
Claire Seats lofted a two-run home run.
Ashley Sutton was 2 for 3, drove in a run and scored once herself. The Wildcats stole four bases, including two by Saathoff.
NEXT
Linfield hosts George Fox Wednesday for a midweek makeup doubleheader at Del Smith Stadium. Action starts at noon.
