Linfield softball advances to the championship round after defeating the George Fox Bruins 9-1 in the regional tournament game three Sunday evening.

Linfield was first on the board after a hit by senior Cheyenne Fletcher that brought senior Jacinda Swiger home. Swiger got on base after a hit to left field. It should’ve been an easy catch for George Fox Rebecca Pridmore but a dropped ball and grounded throw by herself enabled Swiger advancement to second.

Junior pitcher Shelby Saylors let one away get away at the top of the second granting George Fox with a home run and their only run scored for the day.

A few stellar set of plays by the Wildcats at the bottom of the second allowed both sophomore Chelsea Horita and Kelsey Wilkinson to come home. A sacrificed bunt by senior Jessica Woodruff got the ball rolling advancing Horita and Wilkinson to second and third. Swiger then came in with a hit right up the middle bringing her teammates home for a 3-1 score.

But the Wildcats were still not done, a strong hit over the centerfield fence from Fletcher added another one to the count 4-1.

It was quite the next couple innings with Saylor shutting out the third and an agile Wildcats outfield in the fourth.

Sophomore Makenna Clizer re-awoke the stands in the in the fifth with a slammed hit just inside the pipes bringing herself and junior Darian Stedman home. Linfield score 7-1.

The ‘Cats last two scores of the game, which advanced them to the Championship round, came from a single to left field by Stedman. Senior catcher Emily Allen and sophomore pinch runner Maddy Colson came in for the count ending the game.

In the previous game ending play Allen stole second base putting her right in line of Colson.

Linfield had 11 hits for the night and nine RBIs.

Saylor pitched all six innings taking the win for the game with seven strike outs and only allowing one walk. She faced 22 batters.

Linfield will compete for the regional playoff championship title and advancement in the NCAA championship tournament at 6:30 the same day.