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The Linfield Review

The student news site of Linfield University

The Linfield Review

The student news site of Linfield University

The Linfield Review

Last minute loss for ’Cats

photo by Jordon Jacobo/For the Review

 -photo by Jordan Jacobo 

Jordan Jacobo

Review staff writer

A sense of déjà vu hung in the afternoon air as the Linfield baseball team was on the verge of its third come-from-behind win against Concordia University in two weekends Feb. 23.

Despite Linfield scraping together a five-run rally in the last two innings, it was not enough to match tie the game. The Cavaliers edged out the 9-8 win to give the ‘Cats their first loss of the season.

It was a near miracle for Linfield. With zero outs in the bottom of the ninth and two men on base, senior outfielder Kevin Mills launched a powerful home run past the left field fence that brought the Wildcats to within one run of the Cavaliers.

With Concordia’s pitching staff waning, Cavs pitcher Dylan Smith was sent in to save the game and halt the rally.

After hitting senior infielder Shannon Chung with an errant pitch, Smith forced freshman third baseman Robert Vaughn into a ground ball for the first out of the inning.

Senior infielder Jordan Boustead advanced to first base on a walk, leaving senior second baseman Cory Ellis up to bat for some late-game heroics.

Tensions heightened after a controversial decision by the umpire. Ellis was first hit by a pitch and awarded a walk that loaded the bases.

After the call had been made, the umpire changed his ruling, saying Ellis had either turned into the ball or not made an effort to avoid it.

Still, the tying run stood on second, the winning run on first. Ellis fell short during the continuation of his at bat, grounding into a game-ending double play that left the ‘Cats’ dugout deflated and exasperated.

“It was one of the most frustrating baseball experiences I’ve ever had,” Boustead later said of the call. “Still, I can’t say it’s (the umpire’s) fault. We had a lot of opportunities to win the game.”

Junior outfielder Stew Davis offered little comment on the decision.

“If we do our job, we won’t have to be in that kind of position again,” he said.

Despite the loss against Concordia, Linfield’s  record stands tall at 4-1 during preseason play in the Jim Doran Auto Group Spring Classic. The ‘Cats were 2-1 for the weekend, beating Whitman College 7-3 Feb. 22 and University of Puget Sound 9-0 Feb. 23.

The Wildcats begin their Northwest Conference schedule this weekend with a four-game series on the road against Pacific Lutheran University. Both doubleheaders, March 1 and 2, begin at 11 a.m. in Tacoma, Wash.

New head coach Scott Brosius said the next two weekends are crucial for the ‘Cats. PLU is defending its NWC title, and Whitworth has a tradition of talented programs.

Senior pitcher Brian Clark, who holds a team best .75 ERA from the preseason, said he expects Linfield’s defense to hold opponents to low scores.

Defensively, the ‘Cats have held their opponents to an average of less than five runs per game and a lowly .203 batting average.

“Our pitching staff is really deep, probably the best in the conference,” Clark said. “Other teams might be getting thin on pitching (by the end of four-game weekends) while we can still bring quality pitchers.”

Davis said the team must give attention to the mental side of the game.

“It’s about attitude, teamwork, focusing on the things around the team that works,” he said. “We need to stay focused for four games each weekend and be in it for the long haul.”

Davis has been a consistent force for the offense so far, batting .429 while driving in five runs.

Big bats have carried the offense, notably senior shortstop David Bachofner. The slugger has a .412 batting average and 10 of the team’s 35 RBIs.

The NWC preseason coaches’ poll predicts Linfield to take the conference this year.

“It excited us because it shows people respect us,” Boustead said. “The poll just verified what we already believe about our team.”

Davis said he couldn’t single out just one strength of the team this season. He had a more holistic approach.

“It’s an overall strength,” he said. “Everybody pitches in—anybody can motivate, anybody can be the hero. We’re really unified as a team.”

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