REDLANDS, Calif. – With the sweep of their regional rivals at the Field of Dreams on Wednesday, the Linfield Wildcats made program history.
Continuing a dream-like start to the 2024 season, Linfield set a new standard for best start to a softball season, knocking off the Redlands Bulldogs 3-2 and 11-9. The bookend victories extended the Wildcats' current win streak to 16 games while setting a new benchmark for victories to begin a season by a Linfield club.
The 2009 and 2014 squads had shared the record for most wins to begin a season, each rolling to 15-0 records before absorbing their first losses.
Brynn Nelson tallied five hits, including a double and a home run, and
Jacey Leyvas and
Kaili Saathoff each added four more, leading the 'Cats to a sweep of the home-standing Bulldogs.
Linfield moved to 16-0 for the season. Redlands, which had been ranked this season among the nation's Top 25, dipped to 18-7.
GAME 1: Linfield 3, Redlands 2
Tayah Kelley struck out 10 Bulldogs, including the game's final batter, to record her 11th with of the season without a loss.
Though Kelley gave up nine hits, she was able to limit Redlands to just two runs, holding the hosts scoreless over the final three frames to seal the win.
Playing in front of her hometown fans,
Jacey Leyvas went 3 for 3 and
Kaili Saathoff was 3 for 4, including a triple and an RBI.
Brynn Nelson and
Ashley Sutton also contributed a pair of hits.
Ashlyn Aven accounted for the eventual game-winning RBI on a sacrifice fly to center field in the third inning that scored pinch runner
Tiani Wayton from third base.
For the Bulldogs, Katlyn Gandara went 3 for 3 with a solo home run to lead off the bottom of the second inning.
Redlands starter Paige Ellinger was saddled with her second defeat of the season after a 7-1 start. She went the distance, giving up 12 hits and managing just two strikeouts.
GAME 2: Linfield 11, Redlands 9
Linfield built leads of 8-2 and 11-4 but had to hang on to avoid an upset in the nightcap.
With the potential tying out at the plate and two runs in the seventh, Kelley came on in relief to strike out Scott, ending the game.
Aven put the Wildcats on the scoreboard in the top of the second, blasting a three-run homer to left field.
Meara Sain followed with an RBI triple and Saathoff made if 5-0 minutes later with a ground-out RBI.
Redlands plated two runs in the bottom of the second on a fielder's choice and an error, trimming the Linfield lead to three runs.
Brynn Nelson belted her fourth home run of the season in the third, a two-run blast to left field. On the ensuing at-bat, Leyvas launched her second homer of the season, putting the 'Cats in front 8-2.
The Wildcats loaded the bases in the fourth, but couldn't cash in after Leyvas sent a fly ball to right field for the third out.
Linfield added three runs in the sixth following RBI dobules from
Claire Seats and Nelson. But the Bulldogs rung up five runs in the seventh on reliever
Mackenzie Burke before Kelley entered to save the day.
Linfield starter
Tyler McNeley (5-0) scattered seven hits across 6 1/3 innings to collect the win. Kelley pocketed her first save of the season.
Nelson went 3 for 3 with three RBIs. Aven drove home three runs, and Seats and
Meara Sain both contributed two base hits.
Redlands starter Kaylen Galaviz (1-1) took the loss, allowing eight hits and eight runs during the game's first two innings. Leila Gomez had three hits to lead the Bulldogs offensively.
NEXT
The Wildcats head across the Los Angeles basin on Wednesday to the Eagle Rock neighborhood where they are scheduled to play the Occidental Tigers. The first pitch for the doubleheader is set for 12:30 p.m.
