By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
McMINNVILLE, Ore. -- Linfield University, ranked #6 in NCAA Division III by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA), edged Willamette University, 2-1, in a Northwest Conference softball game on Wednesday, March 16 at Del Smith Stadium. the game was originally scheduled as part of a doubleheader on Feb. 26, but it was postponed due to the weather.
With the win, Linfield upped its record to 16-2 overall, 8-0 in the NWC. Willamette dropped to 5-10 on the season, 3-7 in the NWC.
The low score indicated a pitcher's duel, as the teams combined for just nine hits. Linfield registered five hits and the Bearcats finished with four. Jordyn Johnson (So., P, Winslow, AZ/Winslow HS) of WU pitched a complete game and struck out four batters, while allowing one walk. Tayah Kelley, now 10-0 this season, pitched for the Wildcats. She struck out 10 batters and gave up two walks.
Linfield scored both of its runs in the bottom of the third inning. After Johnson struck out two batters, Katie Phillips hit a double to left center. Claire Seats batted next and hit a 2-run homer to left field.
The Bearcats reduced its deficit to 2-1 by pushing across a run in the top of the fourth.
Adele Benny (Jr., OF, Bee Cave, TX/Lake Travis HS) lined out to third base to open the inning, and then Mia Lund (So., CF, Omaha, NE/Westside HS) and Cassie Cosler (Sr., 1B, Albany, OR/West Albany HS) walked. Sophia Lucio (So., OF, Martinez, CA/College Park HS) pinch-ran for Cosler. With two outs and the runners still at first and second, Cora Erickson (So., C, Issaquah, WA/Issaquah HS) singled to right field to send Lund across the plate. A popup by Kelsey Wong (Sr., UT, Honolulu, HI/Punahou School) ended the inning.
Bailey Hillmick (Sr., DP/UT, Athena, OR/Weston-McEwen HS) singled for Willamette with one out in the fifth inning, but was thrown out at second base while attempting to extend the hit into a double. Brianna Majors (Jr., SS/2B, San Diego, CA/Cathedral Catholic HS) followed with a double to center field. The threat ended when a fly ball by Benny was caught in foul territory by the left fielder.
Linfield left two runners on base in the sixth inning. Seats walked with one out. Pinch-runner Jenna Wong stole second base. Katrina Johns singled to right, sending Wong to third base. Chloe McDaniel pinch-ran for Johns and stole second. Kamryn Mobley fouled out to Erickson behind the plate for the second out. Johnson caused Kaili Saathoff to ground out to first base to finish the inning. Tayah faced just three Bearcats in the top of the seventh to secure the win for the Wildcats.
Majors was 2 for 3 with a double for Willamette, while Erickson and Hillmick each recorded one hit. Seats went 2 for 2 with a home run, a double, and two RBIs for Linfield. Phillips also hit a double.
Willamette will return to action on Friday, March 18 with a doubleheader at the WU Softball Field against Pacific University. First pitch is set for 1:30 p.m. (PDT). The teams will conclude the NWC series with a doubleheader on Sunday, March 20 starting at 12 p.m.
