Keizer, Ore. – Linfield baseball (8-4, 3-2 NWC) battled on Saturday, splitting the series doubleheader with Willamette (3-5, 2-3 NWC), thanks to an 11-6 win in extra innings in game two. 
 
GAME ONE
Linfield struck first in the opening inning of the doubleheader as Cole Snidow drove in two with a one-out down the left field line, scoring Jaxson Kister and Wyatt McClory tp grab an early 2-0 lead over Willamette in the Northwest Conference series. Wyatt Hurley tripled with two-outs in the inning to extend the lead to 3-0.
 
Willamette added one in the first while Ely Kennel matched in the second, scoring Hubka from second with a single to make it 4-1Linfield early.
 
Willamette tied the game in the sixth and took the lead in the seventh with a two out groundout to push ahead 5-4 in seventh, 5-4, The 'Cats were unable to plate a run late to match Willamette, giving the Bearcats at 5-4 win in the opening game of the series,
 
Tacheny settled onto the mound over five innings, until the Bearcats scored three in the sixth to tie the game up at 4-4 and later take the lead. 
 
Snidow's two runs batted in led the 'Cats, going 2-4 at the plate. Hubka also went 2-4 at the dish, while Linfield left nine runners on the basepaths. Tacheny had another strong outing, going five and a-third, striking out two and allowing three earned. Oullette was credited with the loss, earned just one on four hits oner two and two-thirds
 
GAME TWO
The Wildcats truck first once again early in game two, as Jaxson Kister homered to left centerfield to put the 'Cats up 3-0 in the second game of the doubleheader. Mansur scored on a Hubka groundout in the following inning to extend the lead to 4-0. 
 
Willamette stayed close, scoring three runs of their own in the home half to trail 4-2 after one. Linfield continued to pile on in the third, scoring Gulard on a RBI-single from Jaxson Kister to make it 5-3.
 
The Bearcats weren't far behind, adding two runs on the home fourth to make 6-5 Willamette.
 
Nick Holm hit a sacrifice fly in the top of the sixth, scoring Kennel to then tie it back up at 6-6. Both bullpens remained strong throughout the final three innings of the game, sending Saturday's doubleheader to extras.
 
In the top of the tenth, Hurley singled through the right side of the infield, scoring Kister from second after he led off with a single. Snidow later singled to scoring pinch runner Austin Gonia, extending the lead to two. Hubka followed suit with a double just down the left field line, scoring pinch hitter Jackson Bui. Gulard capped off the five-run thenth with a single, scoring Hubka, putting Linfield ahead 11-6. 
 
Hampson locked down the final two innings yet again, earning his third win and Linfield's 11-6 win to secure the Saturday split. 
 
The 'Cats aim to win the series tomorrow at 11 a.m., taking on the Willamette Bearcats in Keizer, Oregon. 
 
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. 
 
  Read Full Article