NEWBERG, Ore. – Linfield extended its string of seasons with at least 30 victories to 21 on Saturday, thumping the George Fox Bruins 12-5 in a home-run filled opening game of a Northwest Conference doubleheader at Morse Field.
The Bruins didn't take kindly to the lopsided loss and went on to administer their own thrashing, handing the Wildcats their worst defeat of the season in an 11-3 setback that was shortened to five innings by the eight-run rule.
The teams combined for 17 home runs on the day, including 10 by the Bruins. Fourth-ranked Linfield's loss snapped a seven-game series win streak over George Fox.
GAME 1: Linfield 12, George Fox 5
Two-run homers by
Kaili Saathoff and
Ashley Sutton gave the Wildcats a 4-0 advantage before the Bruins cut the margin in half with solo home runs by Bethany Wilkes and Sydney Sandifer in the bottom of the second.
Sutton's second fence-clearing blast of the afternoon pushed the 'Cats in front 7-2 in the fourth and a three-run cannonball by
Ashlyn Aven to left field in the fifth made the score 10-4.
Sutton finished with five RBIs, going 3 for 4 at the plate. Saathoff went 2 for 3 and scored three runs. Jacey Levas was 4 for 4 at the plate, part of a 16-hit onslaught by Linfield's powerful lineup.
Wildcats pitcher
Tyler McNeley (19-1) struck out eight Bruins but allowed six hits, four of which went for GFU home runs.
Jordyn Relethford took the loss for the Bruins to fall to 8-4. She pitched four innings, giving up six hits and departed without logging a single strikeout.
GAME 2: George Fox 12, Linfield 5
This time it was the Bruins who did the most damage with the long ball as Sharon Tomei drilled three home runs. The Bruins star ended the game with six RBIs. Makayla Noone, Brooke Riggins and Grace Wilson also added home runs in the contest.
Saathoff (3 for 3) and Aven (1 for 2) each smacked homers for Linfield.
Bruins freshman Nicole Ledendecker (8-4) confined Linfield to just six hits and three runs.
Linfield starter
Tyler Warden (9-3) took the loss. She gave up nine earned runs, six hits and four walks in the game's first 2 1/3 innings.
Lacey Vasas took over after that, surrendering just one hit and pair of walks after that.
NEXT
The teams return to Morse Field Sunday for a doubleheader starting at 11 a.m.
