Bearcats Upend #5-Ranked Linfield 7-6 to Open Four-Game Softball Series

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

McMINNVILLE, Ore. -- Willamette University built a 6-1 lead after three innings and held off #5-ranked Linfield University, 7-6, in the first game of a Northwest Conference doubleheader on Friday, April 23 at Del Smith Stadium. Linfield on the second game, 9-1, on the run rule in five innings. The Bearcats outhit the Wildcats 10-8 in the opener and took advantage of three Linfield errors to score four unearned runs.

Shaye Mott (So., P/1B, Livermore, CA/Granada HS) earned a complete-game victory in the first game. She allowed eight hits and six runs, but prevented Linfield from tying or taking the lead in the bottom of the seventh. Brianna Majors (So., SS/2B, San Diego, CA/Cathedral Catholic HS), Kelsey Wong (Jr., UT, Honolulu, HI/Punahou School), and Cassie Cosler (Jr., 1B, Albany, OR/West Albany HS) each hit a double for Willamette during the win.

The Bearcats ended the twinbill with a 4-13 overall record, 3-18 in the NWC. Linfield moved to 28-5 overall, 17-4 in the NWC. Willamette and Linfield will complete the series with a doubleheader on Saturday, April 24. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m. (PDT).

"I'm really proud of our team for not giving up despite the season we're having," Willamette Head Softball Coach Paige Hall said. "This win was huge for us and the future of Bearcat softball."

Linfield scored the first run of the doubleheader in the bottom of the first inning when Kelsey Wilkinson hit a leadoff single and eventually scored on a sacrifice fly by Baily Paul. Willamette tied the score in the top of the second with an RBI single from Wong with two outs. Mott, who opened the stanza with a single, scored on the play. Mott was at third after Gianna Marchese (Jr., 3B, Seattle, WA/Bishop Blanchet HS/St. Martin's Univ.) hit a sacrifice bunt and Kendra Knapp (So., OF, Portland, OR/Sunset HS) grounded out.

WU surged out to a 6-1 lead with five runs in the third. Cosler pounded a double to start the inning and Mia Lund (Fy., CF, Omaha, NE/Westside HS) followed by reaching first base on an error at third. The successful inning for the Bearcats featured five hits overall, including an RBI single by Majors, an RBI single by Knapp, and a two-run double by Wong.

The Bearcats maintained the lead after Linfield plated three runs in the sixth inning to cut the margin to 6-4. With one out, Paul connected for a double to third base. Katrina Johns belted a triple to right field to send Paul across the plate. Johns scored when Kamryn Mobley hit a 2-run homer. Mott forced a flyout and a groundout to end the inning.

Kendra Knapp (So., OF, Portland, OR/Sunset HS)

Willamette added an insurance run in the top of the seventh. Majors doubled to start the frame. She advanced to second on a groundout by Mott. Marley Nicassio (Sr./Jr., UT, Sacramento, CA/Mira Loma HS/Holy Names Univ.) pinch-hit and drove in Majors with a single to center field. Knapp added a single to left, but the Wildcats escaped further damage with a flyout and a strikeout.

In the bottom of the seventh pinch-hitter Jenny Ball of Linfield hit a leadoff double to center. Wilkinson singled to place runners at the corners. Kamryn Apling field out before Katie Phillips singled to load the bases. Paul hit into a fielder's choice, with Phillips out at second, while Ball and Wilkinson scored to cut WU's lead to 7-6. Mott caused Johns to fly out to left field to end the game.

Majors was 2 of 4 for Willamette with two runs scored and an RBI. Wong went 2 for 3 with three RBIs, while Knapp was 2 of 4 with a run and an RBI. Wilkinson led Linfield with a 3-for-4 performance and two runs. Paul drove in three runs for the Wildcats.

Willamette carried its momentum into the first inning of the second game, as the Bearcats created a 1-0 lead. Lund singled to center field to open the stanza, and then stole second base. Lund reached third base on a wild pitch. Majors walked to put runners at the corners. Lund scored when Mott stole second.

The Wildcats grabbed a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the second. Wilkinson drove in the first two runs with a double to center field. Phillips brought in the third run with a sacrifice fly to left. Linfield added a run in the third inning, as Mobley hit a leadoff home run.

Four runs by the Wildcats in the fourth inning gave the home team an 8-1 advantage. Linfield recorded five hits and WU committed two errors during the inning, as two of the runs were unearned. Phillips provided a double, while Ball, Paul, and Abi Proffitt each hit an RBI single. Ball supplied another RBI single in the fifth inning to end the game on the run rule.

Linfield pitcher Tayah Kelley improved to 13-2 with the win. She struck out six Bearcats and allowed one walk, while limiting WU to two singles. Sarah Smith (So., P, Poulsbo, WA/North Kitsap HS) took the loss for Willamette.

Five Wildcats earned two hits during the game. Apling scored twice, while Wilkinson and Ball drove in two runs apiece. Lund and Sophia Lucio (Fy., OF, Martinez, CA/College Park HS) each earned one hit for the Bearcats.