Linfield University Athletics

McMINNVILLE, Ore. – Ashlyn Aven hammered two home runs in the first inning, part of a 12-run barrage by the Linfield Wildcats in their opening round 22-0 rout of Marymount (Va.) at the NCAA Division III McMinnville Regional Thursday afternoon at Del Smith Stadium. The Wildcats tied a program record for most runs scored in a postseason game.
 
Linfield advances to play Pacific Lutheran Friday at 1:30 p.m. in a winners bracket game. Marymount falls into an elimination game against Transylvania, a 3-2 loser to PLU late Friday.
 
Already the Division III home run leader, Aven raised her season round-trip total to 22, going 3 for 3 at the plate and driving across seven runs, one short of the Linfield single-game record.
 
Meara Sain went 3 for 3 with a double and a triple, driving in five runs. McKenna Parmelee went 3 for 4 with three RBIs and two runs scored while Cydney Hess contributed a double and a home run.
 
Wildcats pitching ace Tyler McNeley held Marymount to three hits and one walk. The junior righthander struck out six Saints over four innings on the way to her 23rd win of the season.
 
After vaulting to a 12-0 lead advantage in the first inning, the Wildcats added six runs on the scoreboard in the second frame and three more in the third to build an insurmountable 21-0 lead.
 
Marymount starter Bailey Demusz (12-8) took the loss. She lasted just two outs into the first inning before being replace by Emma McCormack. Demusz faced 12 batters, gave up 10 runs (four earned) and nine hits. McCormack did not fare much better, surrendering seven hits, eight runs and six walks in 1 1/3 innings.
 
Kaylee Atkins, Valeria Gutierrez De Oliveira, and Grace Gilbert each accounted for the Saints' hits in the game.
  Read Full Article