McMINNVILLE, Ore. – No. 7 Linfield completed an impressive Northwest Conference series sweep of 25th-ranked Pacific Lutheran Sunday at Del Smith Stadium, topping the visiting Lutes 14-3 in five innings in the opening contest and 8-4 in the nightcap.
Linfield (23-3, 13-1 NWC) stretched its lead in the NWC standings to four games. With the four losses, PLU (18-12, 10-8 NWC) tumbled from second place to fourth.
During the four-game series, the Wildcats outscored the Lutes 39-13, which included two lopsided wins shortened by the eight-run rule.
Kaili Saathoff went 7 for 11,
Katie Phillips and
Claire Seats both drove in nine runs to lead the 'Cats offensively.
GAME 1: Linfield 14, Pacific Lutheran 3, 5 innings
Showing off its offensive firepower, Linfield used two big innings to win the run-rule shortened contest. The Wildcats batted through the entire order in both the second and fourth innings on the way to the lopsided result.
The 'Cats rung up seven runs in the second, capitalizing on eight hits and a PLU fielding error.
Cydney Hess,
Ashley Sutton,
Baily Paul and Phillips took turns driving in runs in the frame, helping the hosts open up a sizable 7-0 advantage.
Leading 8-2 in the fourth, the Wildcats padded their lead with a six-run explosion, highlighted by
Katrina Johns' 10th career home run and a three-run double by
Emma Podliska.
Phillips, Seats, Sutton and Johns each had two hits in the game as the 'Cats totaled 14 for the game.
Wildcats starter
Tayah Kelley struck out just one batter, but held the Lutes to five hits and two runs over four innings. Kelley improved to 15-0 in the circle.
Kennedy Kila took her second loss of the series, falling to 5-2. She lasted just 1 1/3 innings, giving up seven hits and seven earned runs.
GAME 2: Linfield 8, Pacific Lutheran 4
PLU outhit Linfield 12-6 in the game, but the Wildcats made the most of their opportunities. The Lutes stranded 11 runners and conceded five stolen bases to the Wildcats, including two thefts by
Tiani Wayton.
Phillips went 2 for 4 in the game and drove home three runs. Seats added three RBIs and Paul scored three times.
Starting pitcher
Tyler Warden earned the win for Linfield to improve to 8-1 for the season. She allowed nine hits and three walks, but she limited the Lutes to two earned runs and no extra-base hits.
Each team tallied a single run in the first inning. The Wildcats seized command with a four-run second inning as Hess, Seats, Phillips and Paul produced run-scoring hits, enabling the Wildcats to build a 5-1 cushion.
Linfield made it 8-1 as Seats and Phillips again drove in runs, part of a three-run third inning. PLU plated two runs in the fifth inning and another in the sixth to close the gap to 8-4.
Kelley returned to the field to close the Lutes out in the seventh, striking out two of the final three PLU batters.
Mari Foster, Brooke Tilson and Zoe Smithson each tapped two hits to pace PLU at the plate.
NEXT
Linfield meets George Fox in a makeup NWC twinbill Wednesday at Del Smith Stadium. Action starts at 4 p.m. The Wildcats then visit Puget Sound for a four-game set Friday and Saturday, prior to the Easter holiday.
