SPOKANE, Wash. – Sixth-ranked Linfield scored 21 runs to sweep a Northwest Conference softball doubleheader at Whitworth on Wednesday afternoon, taking the opener 11-6 and the second game 10-3.
The Wildcats (29-3 overall, 19-1 NWC) clinched the regular season title in the NWC and the right to host the conference tournament next weekend. The Pirates (21-13, 13-9) are still battling for seeding position in that tournament.
The teams will complete a four-game series with a second doubleheader on Thursday at 11:00 am.
Game 1 – Linfield 11, Whitworth 6
The Wildcats jumped ahead 6-1 before the Pirates closed to within one run twice, but Linfield pulled away late to secure the win.
The Wildcats put up four runs in the top of the first inning, beginning with a two-run triple by Katie Phillips. Claire Seats followed with an RBI single and Seats eventually scored the final run on a ground out. Brynn Nelson's RBI single in the top of the third made it 5-0 Wildcats.
Reagan Ellis drilled her first home run of the season in the bottom of the third to get Whitworth on the board. Linfield added another run in the top of the fourth for a 6-1 lead.
The Pirates pulled close with a four-run rally off Linfield pitcher Tayah Kelly in the bottom of the fourth. After a run scored on an error, Taylor Hofheins hit a three-run homer to left, her second of the season, to get the Bucs within 6-5.
The Wildcats scored in the fifth on a bases-loaded walk, but Whitworth answered with Heather Menzer's RBI single to trim the margin back to 7-6.
Linfield scored twice each in the sixth and seventh innings to pull away. Cydney Hess had a two-run double in the sixth. Seat's second RBI single of the game scored the final run in the seventh.
Kelly improved to 18-0 with her complete-game victory, but allowed the most runs (5 earned) yet this season on seven hits and two walks.
Corinne Vasiloff (13-6) gave up nine runs on 14 hits in 6.2 innings for the Pirates. She walked five and struck out five. Annie Brose (2 runs, 1 hit, 3 walks), pitched 0.2 innings.
Seats went 3 for 5 with two RBIs and two runs, while Phillips went 2-4 with three RBIs to lead Linfield. Ellis was the only Whitworth batter with more than one hit.
Game 2 – Linfield 10, Whitworth 3
Cydney Hess and Brynn Nelson drove in three runs each to lead the Wildcats to a sweep of the doubleheader.
The Pirates scored first in their first at-bat. Mattea Nelson reached on an error and eventually scored on Jazz Johnson's sacrifice fly.
Linfield tied the game in the second, then scored three in the third. Hess had an RBI single and Nelson drilled a two-run homer in the third.
The Wildcats scored three more in the fourth for a 7-1 lead. Hess had a two-run single up the middle in that rally.
Whitworth got two back in the fifth after loading the bases with two outs. Menzer drew a walk and Johnson followed with a single.
Linfield put the game out of reach with two more in the top of the sixth after loading the bases with no outs. Nelson had a sacrifice fly and Seats scored on a wild pitch. The final run came in the top of the seventh when a run scored on a fielder's choice.
Tyler Warden (11-1) allowed only two earned runs on eight hits and two walks. She struck out four.
Momi Lyman (7-6) gave up nine runs on ten hits and four walks. She struck out three. Vasiloff pitched the final two frames and gave up one run on one hit.
