PORTLAND, Ore. – Linfield was outhit in two losses to Lewis & Clark on Saturday afternoon at Jerry Gatto Field. The Wildcats' late rally fell short in a 7-5 game one loss while a go-ahead RBI triple in game two lifted the home Pioneers to a 3-2 win.
Jake Hoskins and
Nick Holm each hit home runs while both Linfield starters pitched over five innings each.
GAME 1: Lewis & Clark 7 - Linfield 5
Camden Oram (3-2) went six and two-thirds innings, striking out four batters and giving up one earned run in his sixth start for the Wildcats.
Hunter Klingelhoffer and Hoskins each finished with two hits and two RBIs. Holm and Kingelhoffer each hit doubles while Hoskins hit Linfield's only home run. Lewis & Clark (10-8-1, 1-3 NWC) edged Linfield in total hits 9-8.
Nate Kerr (2-1) was credited with the win after hurling three innings in relief and not surrendering an earned run. Will Heron and Jacob Cavagnaro each hit home runs for the Pioneers and combined for five RBIs.
Lewis & Clark held a slight 5-4 lead over Linfield after the fifth inning. Heron's two-run home grew the Pioneers' lead to three until Hoskins' home run in the top of the eighth pulled the 'Cats back within two. Linfield put the tying two runs on base in the ninth inning but Hoskins' fly out to left field ended the rally as Anthony Clerici earned his third save.
GAME 2: Lewis & Clark 3 - Linfield 2
Casey Struckmeier had his longest outing of the season going five and two-thirds innings and only giving up two earned runs.
Wyatt Hurley (0-5) was tagged with the loss.
Holm plated Linfield's only two runs with a two-run home run in the fourth inning.
Elijah Maris,
Tyler Marr and
Trent Wainfeld accounted for the hits for Linfield.
Owen Eisen (3-2) pitched over eight innings to earn his third win of the season. Brennen Davis' two-run home run in the sixth inning tied the contest at two a piece. Joaquin Sandoval's RBI triple in the seventh inning proved to be the difference. Brandon Gonzaga finished with a game-high three hits.
Davis came in and pitched the final inning in relief for the Pioneers and earned the save after retiring the Wildcats in order.
ON DECK
The Wildcats (7-11, 2-5 NWC) return to the field for the series finale against the Pioneers at Jerry Gatto Field on Sunday at noon.
