By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
McMINNVILLE, Ore. -- Brianna Majors (So., SS/2B, San Diego, CA/Cathedral Catholic HS) and Kendra Knapp (So., OF, Portland, OR/Sunset HS) each went 2 for 3 at the plate in the first game of a Northwest Conference doubleheader at Linfield University on Saturday, April 24. Linfield won the opener, 15-3 on the run rule in five innings. In the second game, Linfield pitcher Tyler Warden tossed a five-inning no-hitter, as the Wildcats defeated the Bearcats, 11-0 on the run rule.
Linfield, ranked #5 in the nation in NCAA Division III by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA), improved to 31-5 overall, 20-4 in the NWC. Willamette dropped to 4-26 overall, 3-21 in conference play.
The Wildcats surged out to an 8-0 lead in the first inning of the day. Kelsey Wilkinson began the stanza with a solo home run to left field. After Kamryn Apling walked and stole second base, Katie Phillips belted a 2-run homer. Later, Jenny Ball provided an RBI single and Emma Podliska hit a grand slam homer.
After adding two runs in the third inning, the Wildcats owned a 10-0 advantage. Willamette plated one run in the top of the fourth, as Majors singled to left, reached second on a wild pitch, and scored on a single by Knapp.
Linfield tacked on five runs in the bottom of the fourth. Apling drove in two of the runs with a single to center field.
The Bearcats scored twice on three hits in the fifth inning. Jewel Fleckenstein (Jr., UT, Wasilla, AK/Mat-Su Middle College School) singled to center to start the inning. Mia Lund (Fy., CF, Omaha, NE/Westside HS) batted next and pounded a double down the left field line. Sophia Lucio (Fy., OF, Martinez, CA/College Park HS) grounded out to the shortstop, allowing Fleckenstein to cross the plate. Majors belted a double to left center to drive in Lund.
Pitcher Tayah Kelley of Linfield threw all five innings in the opener and stuck out three batters with one walk, while moving to 14-2 this spring. She allowed three runs and seven hits.
Majors was 2 for 3 with a double, a run scored, and an RBI for the Bearcats. Knapp went 2 of 3 with one RBI. Fleckenstein was 1 for 1 and scored once, while Lund finished 1 for 3 with a double and a run scored. Apling paced Linfield by going 3 for 3 with a double, three runs, and three RBIs. Phillips was 2 of 3 with a homer, a run scored, and three RBIs. Wilkinson homered and scored three times. Podliska earned four RBIs with her grand slam.
Warden's strong pitching in the second game led the Wildcats. In addition to holding Willamette without a hit, she also struck out three batters and gave up one walk. Warden is now 1-0 with her first pitching decision of the year.
The Wildcats scored three runs in the first inning and three more in the third. In the first stanza, all three runs scored on a homer by Katrina Johns with two outs. In the third inning, Johns added a two-run homer with no outs, while Proffitt followed one out later with a solo home run.
With two outs in the top of the fourth, Majors reached base for Willamette on an error by the shortstop. Knapp received the only walk allowed by Warden to put runners at first and second. Shaye Mott (So., P/1B, Livermore, CA/Granada HS) lined out to the shortstop to end the threat.
Five runs in the fourth inning completed Linfield's scoring. Apling hit an RBI single. Phillips drove in the second and third runs with a homer to left field. Ball brought in the final runs with a 2-run single to left.
Johns went 3 for 3 with two homers, three runs, and five RBIs. Proffitt was 3 for 3 with a homer, one run, and one RBI.
Willamette will complete the season with a four-game series against Whitworth University at the WU Softball Field on Saturday, May 1 and Sunday, May 2. The Bearcats and the Pirates will play a doubleheader on Saturday, starting at 12 p.m. (PDT). The teams will play another doubleheader on Sunday, with first pitch set for 11 a.m.