McMINNVILLE, Ore. – Linfield won't be participating in playoff baseball, but the Wildcats ended the 2023 season strong, taking down Bushnell 9-4 in their second meeting of the season Tuesday at Roy Helser Field.
The first meeting between Linfield and Bushnell ended in a 9-7 win for the Wildcats on April 4 in Springfield. The 'Cats replicated their success this time around, scoring nine runs on 11 hits to defend their home field.
Danny Kahn and
Nick Holm hit back-to-back RBI doubles in the first inning to give Linfield an early lead. Holm drove in two more runs in the fifth on a single to left that put Linfield ahead 4-0. Bushnell got on the board in the sixth, but the 'Cats took that run right back the next half inning when
Jake Hoskins ripped an RBI single to right.
The Beacons threatened in the seventh, plating three more runs on as many hits while taking advantage of a two-out error by Linfield. But the 'Cats got a bases-loaded walk from
Bodey Smith and a three-run double from
Garrett Moen in the eighth inning to break the game open.
Holm went 3 for 5 with his three RBI to cap a successful debut season in McMinnville. He made his first collegiate start at first base. Kahn and
Garret Ringer notched two hits apiece.
Linfield threw a bullpen game, with
Wyatt Hurley picking up his first collegiate win in his 11
th appearance and second start. He tossed three scoreless innings, allowing just two hits.
Nick Alder slung three innings in relief while
Brian Mannion and
Gavin Ludlow cleaned up the rest of the game. All four runs allowed by the 'Cats were unearned.
The 'Cats close the book on the season, finishing with a 13-24 overall record, which includes an 8-16 mark in Northwest Conference play. They went out having won three of their final four games.
