Jake Peterson
For the Review
-photo by Jeff Primozich/For the Review
After three consecutive losses to George Fox University, the Wildcat baseball team found itself in a Northwest Conference Championship, deciding game four on April 27.
The ’Cats only needed one win to clinch the title.
“All four games had been tight,” senior outfielder Jordan Boustead said. “There was more joking around and laughter in the dugout before the final game. We felt that we should just go play and have fun. It was a good sign from the beginning.”
With the packed stands of Roy Helser Field echoing throughout campus, Linfield led 1-0 well into the second inning.
The floodgates were about to be opened.
As students and fans supported their team in the final battle, senior outfielder Kevin Mills hit a two-RBI homer over the fence into left field to increase the lead to three.
The ’Cats were not finished. Freshman third baseman Dustin Smith and senior second baseman Shannon Chung both got on base.
In an attempt to slow down the ’Cats’ momentum, the Bruins pulled their starting pitcher, senior Preston Langeliers, and put in junior Shane Dalgleish.
The ploy failed, as Boustead smashed a home run over the left field fence on the first pitch, scoring three and pushing the lead to 6-0.
“Going into the bat, the fans were really getting into it, and I just felt something good was going to happen,” said Boustead. “I don’t think that I have ever had a better feeling in my entire sports career after that home run.”
Boustead led the ’Cats for the day, tallying up two hits, two runs and three RBIs off three at bats.
The Bruins cut into the lead in the top of the sixth inning, bringing the score to 6-3.
“I kind of had an uneasy feeling. I was a little on edge after they scored the runs,” Boustead said. “We were still confident we would pull it out.”
Linfield dashed George Fox’s hopes in the bottom of the inning as senior first baseman Ty Stanley and junior designated hitter Stew Davis both had RBIs to increase the advantage.
Closing freshman pitcher Robert Vaughn had a strikeout, and allowed zero hits against six faced batters through the final two innings to seal the victory and NWC Championship honors.
Linfield won, 8-3, to bring the team’s overall record to 30-10, 25-7 NWC.
“As soon as the final pitch was hit I thought we were going to turn the double play,” Boustead said. “I think I was the first person to meet the pitcher. It felt so good to finally clinch it—it took three years.”
With the win, the Wildcats grabbed the league’s automatic berth to the NCAA Division III West Regional playoffs. After two weeks without any games, Linfield will next play in Abilene, Texas, from May 14 to 18.
“I’ve never been around a more stoked group of guys,” Boustead said. “Everyone is still talking about the win in class. This is the most tight-knit group of guys I have ever been around. It is exciting to get to play ball together for a few more weeks.”
In the second day, the Bruins won their third straight game of the series to keep their championship hopes alive.
Sophomore Mark Putney threw a complete-game shutout as the Bruins won, 4-0.
During the second game of the previous day, the ’Cats were shut out until late in the seventh inning, which allowed George Fox to gain a comfortable six run lead.
Boustead hit a two RBI home run to make the score, 6-2.
The Bruins tacked on three in the final inning to secure the 9-3 victory.
In the first game of the series, Linfield started out looking poised to take the first game and walk away with the title, holding a two-run lead going into the sixth inning.
However, George Fox scored seven runs over the next two innings to take a 7-2 lead.
In the bottom of the seventh, Mills’ two-run homer brought the ’Cats back within one.
Some tough calls in the final few innings resulting in loss of runs went against the Wildcats as the Bruins just barely held on for a 7-6 game one victory.
With NWC competition complete the all-league honors will be announced within the next week. Earning the top spot in conference is sure to give the Wildcats a lot of nominations.
