Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 MCMINNVILLE, Ore. – Top-ranked Linfield swept a doubleheader from the Puget Sound baseball team on Friday afternoon. Fresh off their top-ranking, Linfield took the first game 9-0 and the second game 7-3.
Game 1- L, 0-9
The Loggers (10-15, 5-6 NWC) left eight runners on base and the Wildcats (20-3, 13-1 NWC) used two four-run innings to secure the win in the opener.
After taking a 1-0 in the third, Jake Wylie hit a grand slam with two outs in the fourth to extend the Linfield lead to 5-0. Wylie went on to hit his second homer of the day in the sixth – this one of the two-run variety – to fuel another four-run inning.
Connor Savage had two of the Loggers six hits in the game but Chris Haddeland was able to keep the Loggers off the board in a complete game effort on the mound.
The Loggers threatened to cut into the lead late in the game, loading the bases in the eighth and ninth innings. However, Haddeland pitched his way out of the jam to preserve the shutout.
Game 2 – L, 3-7
Lucas Stone and Kaulana Smith each had three hits for the Loggers but Linfield used another four-run inning to come away with the win.
The Loggers took the initial lead in this on as Christian Carter doubled in the first to put runners on second and third with one outs. A walk to Smith loaded the bases and Nate Backes singled in Nick Alarcio from third for a 1-0 lead.
Jake Wylie knotted the game at 1-1 in the bottom half with a sacrifice fly. Three hits all scored runs in the second for the Wildcats, including another two-RBI hit from Wylie. He had nine RBIs over the two games and gave the Wildcats a 5-1 lead in the nightcap.
JB Eary drew a bases loaded walk to force another run home for the Loggers in the sixth. The Loggers had the bases loaded and were primed to take a big cut into the lead but left the bases full after recording three hits in the inning.
Linfield hung up two insurance runs in the seventh, which proved to be more than enough to come away with the twinbill sweep. Nick Funyak hit a sacrifice fly in the eighth to score the Loggers' third run, but that would be the last run to cross the plate for either side.
Steve Wagar tossed 6.1 innings in relief for the Loggers, striking out seven and allowing just two runs.
The Loggers and Wildcats square off once more tomorrow afternoon.
