Sophomore outfielder Grace Middelstadt slides safely into second in the top of the first inning in game two where the Linfield Wildcats topped George Fox 8-6. The Wildcats swept the two-day doubleheaders.
Catball secured its No. 1 conference ranking after sweeping two doubleheaders against George Fox University on April 6 and 7.
On April 7, the Wildcat softball team won game one 12-3 and game two 8-6. The results closely resembled the games from the day prior.
In game one, the Wildcats started with four runs scored in the first inning. Junior Haylie Watson and sophomore Lisa Yamamoto both scored home runs, giving the Wildcats a 9-1 lead, and the Bruins never caught up.
Junior Ashley Garcia helped drive in four runs and scored two herself for the Wildcats.
Junior Karina Paavola with the assistance of freshman reliever Maddy Dunn only allowed the Bruins to have four hits and giving Paavola a 16-2 record.
In game two, the Wildcats remained down until the sixth inning, where they upset the Bruins by scoring six runs in the seventh inning.
Sophomore Erin Carson hit her first career homer, bringing in the two game-winning runs for the Wildcats. Yamamoto also hit a three-run home run.
On April 6, Catball won its first game 11-0 and second game 9-8. Junior Karina Paavola added two additional wins to her record this season, making it 26-5 and 18-2.
In game one, the Wildcats had a four-run lead by the end of the first. By the end of the second, Linfield secured a dominant nine-run lead against the Bruins.
After striking out five batters with no runs or walks, Paavola was switched with sophomore reliever Montana McNealy to secure the win for the Wildcats.
Prestianni and Garcia both hit a pair of doubles in the first and second innings. With senior outfielder Megan Wallo and Carson hitting two singles.
In game two, Yamamoto hit a two-run home run, giving the Wildcats a 3-2 lead in the fourth, answering to the Bruins who had a 2-1 lead following the first. The Bruins responded with two runs in the fifth.
During the sixth, Prestianni hit a homer to trigger the Wildcats to score three runs. George Fox’s offense responded with a home run of its own plus additional runs, giving the Bruins an 8-6 lead.
In the seventh, the Wildcats started off with a single by sophomore Grace Middlestadt, followed by another from Wallo. A double from Garcia, drew in two runs. A single from Carson allowed the Wildcats to make their last run, securing the win.
The Wildcats will next face Willamette University at 5:30 p.m. April 10 in the Del Smith Stadium. This will be their last home game for the regular season.
Ivanna Tucker/ Sports Editor
Ivanna Tucker can be reached at [email protected]
