McMINNVILLE, Ore.. --- Linfield baseball (14-7, 7-2 NWC) powered past the LeTourneau Yellowjackets (12-14) to take both games, 5-4 and 7-5, of the doubleheader, opening a four-game series. Ely Kennel walked-off game one with a no-doubt home run to right while the offense grabbed an early lead in game two to cruise the rest of the way. 

GAME ONE

Starter Matthew Tacheny pitched to contact in the first inning of the game, as each of the first three Yellowjackets were retired via the flyout. Jaxson Kister notched Linfield's first hit of the game in the home first. Kister stole second, scoring on a single by Rylan Gullard that was booted by the LeTourneau right fielder to go ahead 1-0.

LeTourneau struck out two of the first three hitters in the second, but a single and a triple plated two Yellowjackets to take a 2-1 lead. Linfield stranded a runner in scoring position in each of the following three innings, but weren't able to plate a run until the fifth. Gullard reached on an infield error and stole second to get into scoring position for the second time in the game. Third baseman Wyatt McClory pumped a deep ball to left field, putting the 'Cats back on top, 3-2, and putting Tacheny in line for the win.

Zack Hampson came in in the sixth, ending Tacheny's outing on the bump, navigating a apir of singles in the sixth before facing the final three outs in the shortened seven-inning game. Hampson retired the first two Yellowjackets relatively easily, before back-to-back solo shots flipped the script, putting LeTourneau up 4-3 thanks to the two-out rally.

Nick Holm singled with one out in the bottom of the seventh, advancing to second on a second ball mishandled by the LeTourneau right fielder. Austin Gonia pinch ran and scored on a Wyatt McClory single to right, tying it back up at 4-4 and sending the game to extra innings.

Still tied in the bottom of the eighth, Ely Kennel jumped on a 1-1 pitch, sending it deep to right field with two down, ending the game in walk-off fashion. 

Kennel's walk-off homer served as his lone hit and RBI in the game, while McClory's blast was the highlight of his 2-4 game at the dish, driving in three. Hampson lost the save opportunity, but the offense helped earn him the win after three innings of work, allowing two runs on five hits; it's Hampson's fifth win of the season, moving him to tied for third in wins in Division III. Tacheny drew the no decision, but had a strong five-inning outing, allowing two runs on six hits and striking out three. 

GAME TWO

The Wildcats created traffic early in Friday's second game, the first two batters worked walks to open the door for Rylan Gullard's double down the left field line to go up 1-0. Jaxson Kister was called out at home after trying to score from first. 

Starter Jack Williams allowed just one hit in the first three frames, getting insurance form the offense who plated four runs in the home third. McClory doubled to left, scoring Gullard, while Spencer Kowalski's sacrifice bunt scored McClory on a fielder's choice that couldn't catch the runner at home. Catcher Caiden Gould drove in Wyatt Hurley who previous reached on an error, before Hubka doubled to left to make it 5-0 Wildcats through five.

LeTourneau got on the board in the fourth after a costly fielding error by McClory that led to a two-run shot to make it 5-2 with two outs in the inning. The long ball continued an inning later for the Yellowjackets with yet another set of back-to-back solo home runs, clawing back to within one. 

Hubka added an insurance run in the fifth with a single to shortstop, beating the throw, to score pinch-runner J.R. Starr. Two 'Cats walked early in the bottom of the sixth, with one scoring on a Caiden Gould single; 7-4 Linfield entering the final inning.

Zach Jaeger came in to relieve Luke Schoeffler on the mound, allowing just one run but no hits due to a throwing error on a stolen base attempt. Jaeger held off the Yellowjackets, earning Linfield a 7-5 win in the seven-inning game two.

Gould's start behind the plate in game two proved crucial for the 'Cats, going 3-4 with two runs batted in, meanwhile Hubka went 2-2 with two runs batted in, leading Linfield offensively. Although Linfield stranded 12 baserunners in game two, the pitching staff led by starter Jack Williams allowed just four hits over seven innings. Williams moved to 2-1 on the season with the win and Zach Jaeger earned the save after one run on no hits in his one inning of work. 

Baseball hosts the Yellowjackets once again tomorrow for two more games, game one is scheduled for seven innings and to begin at 11 a.m. at Roy Helser Field.

To follow Linfield Wildcats coverage all season long, visit golinfieldwildcats.com. Please consider following Linfield Athletics on Facebook, and @LinfieldSports on Instagram and X.com.