McMINNVILLE, Ore.. --- Linfield baseball (15-8, 7-2 NWC) grinded out a non-conference series win on Saturday, taking three of four against the LeTourneau Yellowjackets (13-15), splitting the final two games, 4-2 and 6-5. 

GAME ONE

Rylan Gullard ripped the first hit of the game in the home first, singling to the shortstop. LeTourneau got on the board first in the top of the third inning, stringing together three consecutive singles to go up 1-0 on Linfield's starter Johnny Ingalls.

Ely Kennel walked and stole second to begin the bottom of the third, scoring on Gullard's one-out single to right center, matching the Yellowjackets at 1-1. 

In the following inning, designated hitter Luke Porter got on base with a one-out single to right. J.R. Starr replaced Porter on the basepaths when Porter advanced to second on a Kennel single. Jackson Bui singled to right, scoring Starr to take a 2-1 advantage.

Colton Ouellette came out of the 'pen in the fifth, navigating past two runners in scoring position to remain ahead. The score remained 2-1 entering the top of the seventh, the final scheduled inning of the game. 

With one out in the inning, LeTourneau's Savage hit a three-run home run to take a 4-2 lead and bring the 'Cats up to the plate in the seventh. Wyatt McClory singled but Linfield was unable to come up with the clutch hits to plate any runs. LeTourneau won game three of the four-game series, 4-2.

Kennel went 2-2 in the leadoff spot, working two walks, while Gullard and McClory had 2-4 outings. Bui and Gullard each drove in one. Ingalls did not factor into the decision after a four-inning start, allowing one run on five hits. Ouellette (0-3) allowed three runs on four hits, credited with the loss. 

GAME TWO

Starter Johnny Ingalls allowed a leadoff hit to open the series finale on Saturday, stranding two runners in his first frame. 

The 'Cats bats wasted no time, thanks in part to the Yellowjackets starter issues free bases to the first two batters. Wyatt McClory ripped a double down the left field line to put Linfield ahead immediately. Wyatt Hurley drove in another with a sacrifice fly to follow. With two outs and the bags packed, Cole Hubka wore a pitch on the elbow, scoring a third Wildcat to end the LeTourneau starter's outing after a quick 3-0 deficit.

LeTourneau answered the call with four runs on four hits in the second, taking a 4-3 lead. McClory doubled for a second time in as many innings, scoring Rylan Gullard from first to tie it up at 4-4. The Yellowjackets responded once again, plating one in the third off of reliever Jacob Bishop, now leading 5-4.

Linfield had runners in scoring position in each of the following three innings, unable to find the clutch hit to help out reliever Jacob Bishop who held down the Yellowjackets over those innings.

Catcher Caiden Gould grounded into a fielder's choice that resulted in an error by the LeTourneau middle infielder, scoring pinch-runner J.R. Starr to tie it back up at 5-5.

Nick Holm doubled with two down in the seventh, scoring Gullard from second to go back ahead for the first time since the first inning at 6-5.

Reliever Zack Hampson made his second appearance of the series in the ninth, entering with just a one-run lead. He allowed a leadoff single but got the save after a game-ending 6-4-3 double play; Linfield won game four, 6-5 and took three of the four-game series. 

McClory's two doubles helped drive in a pair of runs while Nick Holm's pinch-hit RBI double in the seventh served as the difference-maker in the game. Gullard continued his strong showing for the series, going 2-2 with two walks, scoring three runs. Schoeffler (3-0) recorded his third win out of the 'pen, allowing just one hit over 1.1 innings pitched. Hampson was shutdown once again, earning his third save of the season.

For the series, Gullard hit .571 (8-14) with a double, driving in three, working three walks and stealing four bags. McClory was close behind thanks to his three extra-base hits and a team-high six runs batted in. The pitching staff as a whole managed a 4.35 ERA for the series with 18 strikeouts to nine walks. Schoeffler and Hampson each made two appearances, combining for two of the wins and a save. 

The Wildcats finish non-conference play on Tuesday next week, heading to Portland to take on the Lewis & Clark River Otters at 3:30 p.m.; making up for last week's game that was postponed. Next Friday, Linfield continues Northwest Conference play, hosting the Pacific Lutheran Lutes for a three-game series over Friday and Saturday. 

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