Linfield Sweeps Willamette

Salem-News.com SPORTS

SALEM - The Linfield Wildcats swept Willamette University (6,5) (9,8) in women's softball action on Saturday in Salem.

In the first game, Linfield's Rochelle Friend scored on shortstop Meredith Brunette's sacrifice fly in the top of the seventh inning to provide the winning run.

Willamette trailed 2-0 after Linfield plated single runs in each of the first two innings, but the Bearcats took a 5-2 lead with five runs in the bottom of the second.

Liz Gilgan and Molly Barnes each hit a two-RBI double during the inning.

Linfield gradually rallied, scoring one run in the fourth and two runs in the fifth, before producing the winning run in the Wildcats' final at bat.

Friend singled with a runner at first and no outs in the seventh.

She moved to second on a fielder's choice that resulted in the lead runner being thrown out at third.

Friend then advanced to third base on a single by Jenny Marshall. Brunette followed with the game-winning sacrifice fly.

In the second game, Willamette scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning.

The fourth run was scored by Nikki Franchi on a single to center field by Caitlin Waugh, but LaShawna Holcomb, who started the play at second base, was thrown out at the plate. She rounded third, but slipped as she tried to reverse directions.

She got up and continued home, where a solid throw from Stephanie Rice in center field reached Linfield catcher Jena Loop just before Holcomb slid into the plate.

Willamette's Franchi hit a 3-run homer to give WU a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the first inning.

Linfield tied the game with a home run by Rochelle Friend in the second inning and moved in front for good when Rice scored on an RBI double by Marshall later in the inning.

Linfield added four runs in the third inning, including two on a homer by Jena Loop, to take an 8-3 lead.

The Wildcats were in front 9-4 when Willamette began it's seventh-inning rally.

Franchi finished the game 3 for 3 with two runs and three RBIs for Willamette. Rice was 3 for 4 with a run scored an two RBIs for Linfield during the game.

Willamette is 1-2 overall, 0-2 in the NWC. Linfield is 2-0 overall, 2-0 in the NWC.

The two teams will play another doubleheader on Sunday at Linfield College in McMinnville.

First pitch is set for noon.

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