McMINNVILLE, Ore. – Linfield's
Tayah Kelley reached two substantial pitching milestones Wednesday afternoon at Del Smith Stadium, but the Wildcats had to settle for a split of their Northwest Conference doubleheader with the George Fox Bruins.
The senior righthander from Myrtle Creek, Oregon, surpassed the 500-strikeout plateau while recording her 60th career victory, leading seventh-ranked Linfield to a 5-2 win in the opener. The nightcap saw the Bruins take a 6-1 decision over their Yamhill County rivals, snapping the Wildcats' 15-game win streak.
Linfield saw its record move to 19-3 overall and 9-1 in the NWC. George Fox improved to 14-10 and 7-5 in conference play.
GAME 1: Linfield 5, George Fox 2
Kelley equaled her career-high with 15 strikeouts, holding the Bruins to just two hits to snap their nine-game win streak.
Kaili Saathoff put the 'Cats on the scoreboard in the first inning with a double to right field that scored
Baily Paul. In the third,
Claire Seats sent a double to center field, enabling Saathoff to score from first base.
George Fox even the contest at 2 on Emma Clausen's two-run double in the fourth.
Linfield rung up three runs in the fifth to put the game away, getting RBIs from
Katie Phillips,
Cydney Hess and
Brynn Nelson. In all, the Wildcats totaled nine hits, with Saathoff, Phillips and Nelson accounting for two each.
GAME 2: George Fox 6, Linfield 1
Bruins pitcher Ashley Davis (6-4) went the distance in the circle, holding the 'Cats to six hits and one run. She struck out four Wildcats and walked one.
Linfield cycled through three pitchers in the game. First-time starter
Mackenzie Burke lasted three innings in the circle, giving up five hits and three walks.
Hailey Wadsworth and
Tyler Warden combined for the remainder of the innings.
Phillips produced two of Linfield's six hits. Seats, Nelson and pinch hitter
Ashlyn Aven also picked up hits in the game.
AHEAD
The Wildcats remain at home, hosting 25th-ranked Pacific Lutheran in a four-game series Saturday at noon and Sunday at 11 a.m.
