McMINNVILLE, Ore. – Linfield jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first inning and
Casey Struckmeier tossed five-plus innings for the fourth time this season, but the Wildcats couldn't hold on to the lead in a 7-6 loss to College of Idaho Sunday at Roy Helser Field.
The contest concluded a two-game series between the Wildcats and Yotes. The series finale was cancelled due to inclement weather Sunday morning.
The freshman Struckmeier threw 5 1/3 innings before handing the ball to
Jackson Koons. Struckmeier allowed just one hit and struck out four batters. Linfield outhit C of I once again, but the Wildcats surrendered seven runs down the stretch, four unearned.
Nick Holm crushed a grand slam down the left-field line in the first inning for his team-leading sixth home run of the season. Linfield picked up another run when
Jackson Horner singled to left field to drive in
Trent Wainfeld. A sure candidate for the Northwest Conference Freshman of the Year award, Holm is slugging .563 with 26 RBI.
College of Idaho finally got on the board in the sixth inning, scoring on a wild pitch by Koons. The Yotes sent 11 batters to the plate in the seventh inning on their way to scoring six runs on five hits and one error to silence the home crowd and take a two-run lead.
Linfield sparked a two-out rally in the ninth. Kahn walked on four straight pitches and advanced to second on a single by
Branden Pasion. Representing the tying run,
Braden Woods replaced Pasion at first base as a pinch runner. With two runners on base,
Tyler Marr drilled a double into the left-field corner to score Kahn from second. Woods made the turn around third and was waved home, but he was thrown out at the plate to end the Wildcat rally and the game.
Pasion is batting .359 on the year with a .464 on-base percentage after going 3 for 4 at the plate. Marr registered two hits while Kahn scored twice.
Grant Knox threw the last 2 1/3 innings in relief to keep the 'Cats in the game. He held the Yotes scoreless in his appearance, giving up just one hit.
NEXT
The 'Cats (9-18, 6-10 NWC) will try to end an eight-game losing streak when they head down to Eugene for a non-conference game at Bushnell. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. on Tuesday.
