THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — A late-inning surge lifted the Linfield Wildcats to a 5–3 comeback win over Cal Lutheran on Thursday afternoon, securing a bounce-back victory in non-conference play at Ullman Stadium.
Linfield trailed 2–0 after five innings but began their comeback in the sixth inning when
Tyler Eisenhut's infield single and an error by the pitcher allowed
Josh Mansur to score.
Tyler Marr doubled in the seventh and eventually came around to tie the game at 2–2 after advancing on a passed ball and scoring on a throwing error.
Matthew Lewis scored the go-ahead run in the eighth after stealing second, advancing to third on a miscue by the catcher and scoring on Evan Maris' sacrifice fly.
Linfield plated runs in each of the final four frames, including an insurance two-run double by
Wyatt McClory in the top of the ninth. The hit drove in
Trent Wainfeld and Mansur, who both reached with key hits to open the frame.
Mansur sparked the Linfield offense all game long, finishing 3-for-4 with a double, a stolen base and two runs scored. Wainfeld added three hits, including a pair of doubles, while Marr chipped in with two hits and a run scored.
On the mound, Linfield received a solid start from
Matthew Tacheny, who allowed two runs over four innings. Relievers
Zack Hampson,
Nick Alder, and
Colton Ouellette combined to limit the Kingsmen to just one run across the final five innings. Alder earned the win, and Ouellette collected his second save of the season with a two-strikeout performance in the ninth.
Linfield outhit Cal Lutheran 13–8 and did not commit an error defensively, turning two double plays in the win.
NEXT
Linfield stays in Southern California for a series against Occidental with a single game on Friday and a doubleheader on Saturday. First pitch for the Friday game is scheduled for 3 p.m.
