Now that the 2026 Linfield baseball season has concluded, seniors reflect on this season and their time in the program. From improvement, development and change, the team continues to build a foundation for future seasons. 

This season, the team has gone farther than they have in recent years. The Wildcats went to the conference championship for the first time since 2022 and are consistently improving their record each year.

“This team has improved its record every year since I’ve been here. I believe this year especially was a great step in the right direction because of the culture that has been built,” said senior first baseman and finance major Nick Holm.

The fresh culture experience this year is largely attributed to former assistant coach and new head coach Jordan Harlow, a Linfield alumnus that helped bring home the national championship back in 2013. 

Players believe Harlow brings a new, laid-back perspective that allows them to play “more free” and is described as organized, experienced and personable. However, Harlow still tells the Wildcats what they need to hear when they need to hear it. The players are treated like professionals, and they even have a new weight training program thanks to graduate student and catcher Keegan Weston.

“He is the most approachable and understanding coach I have ever had,” said Holm. “With that being said, he is extremely competitive and wants to take this team back to the college world series.”

Although not all the credit can go to Harlow, the players have been working hard to improve every day on the field. Hard work is invaluable, but a little talent doesn’t hurt either.

“After our first game, I knew we had some competitors and this was going to be a good team,” said Weston.

Weston is referring to the first game of the season against Eastern Oregon University when the team came back from an eight-run deficit to win the game. 

“This team going forward is going to be pretty dangerous,” said Weston.

Senior account and finance major and first baseman Wyatt Hurley agrees.

“I think Linfield is going to become a place that kids want to go and succeed,” said Hurley.

While the team is proud of their improvement this season, the end of their season was bittersweet. The team fell short just before the conference championship finals against Whitman College. They came back from a six-run deficit and were just two pitches away from being the conference champions. The disheartening loss was difficult for the team as they believe they could’ve gone farther. This disappointment had the players wavering on if this season would be considered successful.

“Compared to previous years, just playing in the conference championship would certainly be considered successful,” said Holm. “However, for our standard and where we wanted to go, we definitely were hoping for more.”

Towards the beginning of the season, the Wildcats came out hot, starting out with four consecutive wins. They slowed down towards the middle as they put pressure on themselves to be “the hero.” Although baseball is a team sport, it can be easy to individualize the game.

“In baseball, it’s easier to be selfish than not,” said Hurley. “Great teams have the ability to set aside self.”

While they may have lost themselves a little toward the middle of the season, they decided to remove the pressure and “play free,” a phrase used by Hurley and Weston.

“I think it was a successful season because of what we went through, the guys we had and how we fought,” said Weston. “The way I look at it, it’s progress and laying the foundation for what is to come.”

The seniors believe the results from this year will fuel the returning players. Next time around, the Wildcats will know what it takes to compete in this conference.

“I hope the guys keep getting closer to that goal of winning another national championship,” said Hurley. “You play ball to get the opportunity to play at the national level.”

As some are graduating this spring and the season comes to a close, the seniors reflect on what being a part of the program and baseball itself really means to them.

“The game gives and the game takes, but you never know when it will be your last time,” said Hurley. 

Baseball has been such a huge part of these seniors’ lives and stepping away can be a challenge. However, as Weston reflects, there is something more important to him than the game.

“You’ll remember the baseball part, but those friendships that last forever are what’s really important,” said Weston. “I want the guys to know that they’ve always got a number to call.”

While the season has concluded in a less than desirable way, and whether it is deemed successful or not, there is hope for the future of the program. This season has set the groundwork for what’s to come and we can only hope that the team continues to build off of the competitiveness and grit they’ve shown this season.