By Charlie McGuire, Athletics Communications Assistant

McMINNVILLE, Ore. – Willamette University sophomore Carrie Dose (P/1B/3B, Eugene, OR/Churchill HS) hit a double and stole a base to lead the Bearcats in a Northwest Conference match up at Linfield University on Saturday, Feb. 26. Despite the effort, the host Wildcats improved to 3-0 in the NWC with an 8-0 win in five innings, in the opening game of a doubleheader. Game two was postponed due to increasing rainfall and a makeup date has yet to be determined.

Linfield jumped out to 4-0 lead in the first inning, adding another run in the second and stretching the margin to 8-0 in the third. Wildcat pitcher Tayah Kelley improved to 4-0 in the season, holding the Bearcats to just three hits while recording seven strikeouts.

Willamette looked to put a run across in the third inning with singles from Cora Erickson (So., C, Issaquah, WA/Issaquah HS) and junior Brianna Majors (SS/2B, San Diego, CA/Cathedral Catholic HS). Kelley forced a pair of pop ups to end the inning and hold on to the shutout.

Dose moved into scoring position in the second inning, stealing second after being hit by a pitch. She reached second again in the fourth, sending a double to right field. She came on to pitch the final three innings as well.

Katie Phillips led Linfield at the plate, going 3-for-3. She was just a single shy of the cycle with a double, triple, and homerun on the day.

Linfield improved to 6-1 overall with the win. Willamette slipped to 2-6 on the year and 0-3 in the NWC. The Bearcats are home next weekend, hosting a pair of doubleheaders with the University of Puget Sound on Saturday, March 5 and Sunday, March 6. First pitch on Saturday is set for 12 p.m. (PST)