Hoffman Smacks Two Homers, but Bearcats Fall to Linfield, 5-4 and 4-2

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

McMINNVILLE, Ore. -- Jeff Hoffman (Fy., 3B, Salida, CA/Joseph A. Grigori HS) blasted a home run in each game for Willamette University on Saturday, April 24 at Roy Helser Field, but the Bearcats fell to Linfield University in both halves of a Northwest Conference doubleheader, 5-4 and 4-2. Samuel Daly (So., RF, El Dorado Hills, CA/Jesuit HS) of Willamette hit a double in the first game and belted a home run in the second game.

Willamette and Linfield split the four-game series, with the Bearcats winning 6-1 and 7-2 on Friday, April 23. The Bearcats lead the season series, 6-2, including four non-conference wins in Salem, Oregon, on March 6-7. Willamette is 25-11 overall and 19-9 in the NWC. Linfield is 7-22 overall, 5-16 in the NWC.

Hoffman and Daly each have collected 12 home runs for the Bearcats this season. They are tied with Michael Nelsen (Sr., C, Folsom, CA/Vista Del Lago HS) for the team lead. Willamette has pounded 60 home runs and 146 extra-base hits this season.

Willamette trailed 5-2 entering the ninth inning of the first game on Saturday, but almost rallied to force an extra inning or win the game.

Joey Faudskar (Grad., OF, Phoenix, AZ/Pinnacle HS) hit an infield single toward the mound to start the rally. Layton Wagner (So., INF/RHP, Boise, ID/Timberline HS) singled to center field. Ryan Whithorn (Sr., INF, Claremont, CA/The Webb School/Chaffey College) batted next and provided a pinch-hit single to center that drove home Faudskar. A throwing error by the pitcher allowed Wagner to reach third and Whithorn to advance to second.

After Linfield pitcher Skyler Manelski went to the mound, Sean Little (Sr., INF, Corvallis, OR/Crescent Valley HS) grounded out to the shortstop to send Wagner across the plate. Manelski then recorded back-to-back strikeouts to end the game. It was Manelski's first save of the season.

Earlier in the game, Willamette took a 1-0 lead in the second inning on a leadoff homer by Hoffman. Linfield moved in front, 2-1, in the bottom of the fourth as Mike LaVigne hit a sacrifice fly and Tanner Earhart supplied an RBI single.

The Bearcats tied the score at 2-2 in their next at bat. Little provided a single to start the frame. One out later Daly doubled to right center, sending Little to third. Ethan Fischel (Jr., SS, Eureka, CA/Eureka HS) drove in Little with a groundout to third base.

Linfield tallied three runs in the sixth inning. With one out and the bases loaded, Daniel Kahn belted a 2-RBI double to center field, as LaVigne and Levi Horner-Villa scored. Tanner Jacques added an RBI single to left that allowed Earhart to cross the plate.

Wagner of Willamette was 3 for 3 with a run scored. No other player on either team had more than one hit in the first game. Hoffman's homer and Daly's double were the only extra-base hits. WU outhit the Wildcats, 9-5.

WU starting pitcher Eric Waldichuk (Jr., INF/RHP, San Diego, CA/University City HS) went 5 1/3 innings and fell to 3-3. He struck out seven batters and had one walk. He allowed only two unearned runs in the first five innings, but was credited with three runs in the sixth. Linfield starter Grand Knox received the win. He allowed six hits and two runs in six innings.

The Wildcats built a 4-0 lead in the second game with one run in the second stanza and three runs in the third. Jackson Horner singled with one out in the second inning. He advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on a single by Bodey Smith. The only hit of the third inning for Linfield was a 3-run homer by Kahn. Wyatt Smith, who was hit by a pitch, and Earhart, who walked, also scored on the play.

In the fourth inning, a leadoff homer by Daly allowed Willamette to cut the deficit to 4-1. Hoffman added a solo home run with two outs in the sixth to pull the Bearcats within 4-2. Little walked with two outs in the seventh inning, but was left at first base when Linfield relief pitcher Colton Meyer finished the game with a strikeout.

Linfield starter Evan Bates pitched 4 1/3 innings in the 7-inning game and evened his record at 2-2. He allowed just one run and four hits. WU starter Pruitt Spritzer (So., RHP, Missouri City, TX/Strake Jesuit College Prep) tossed three innings and fell to 0-1 with the loss after allowing four runs and four hits, with two strikeouts and one walk.

Hoffman led WU in the second game by going 2 for 3 with a homer, one run, and one RBI. LaVigne was 2 of 3 for Linfield. The Wildcats gained a slim 6-5 edge in hits.

Willamette is scheduled to complete the regular season with four NWC games against Pacific University on Saturday, May 1 and Sunday, May 2. The Bearcats and the Boxers will play two doubleheaders at John Lewis Field, with the action set to start at 12 p.m. (PDT) each day.