3/8/2008 - LINFIELD 12-19, GEORGE FOX 1-1: Top-Ranked Wildcats Bash Bruins for DH Sweep
Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score
NEWBERG, Ore. - Slugging six home runs on the day, including three by Amanda Attleberger, the defending NCAA Division III national champion and pre-season top-ranked Linfield College Wildcats remained perfect on the season with a 12-1, 19-1 twinbill sweep of the George Fox University Bruins in Northwest Conference softball action Saturday afternoon here at Morse Field.
The Wildcats scored in every inning except the 1st inning of the second game in two contests that were shortened to five innings by the NCAA's eight-run rule in running their record to 8-0 overall and 6-0 in the conference. The Bruins fell to 0-12-1 overall and 0-6 in the league.
Attleberger got things going for Linfield in the top of the 1st in the opener with a two-run single that started a three-run inning. In the 2nd, Erica Hancock capped a four-run frame with a three-run home run. Emily Keagbine hit a solo shot to start a three-run 3rd, and two other runs scored on a dropped fly ball in left. Attleberger lofted a solo shot the opposite way to right in the 4th, and the Wildcats tacked on a final run in the 5th on an RBI double by Meredith Brunette.
George Fox got its only run of the game in the 4th when Amber Philliber walked, moved to third on a double to right by Ashley Olson, and scored on Kristen Griffith's bunt back to the mound.
Jenny Marshall led a 12-hit Linfield attack with three hits, while Attleberger had two. Attleberger and Hancock each drove in three runs.
Kendra Strahm (5-0) allowed one hit in three innings, striking out four and walking two, to pick up the win for the Wildcats. Samantha Van Noy went the final two frames and allowed two hits and a run, with four strikeouts and two walks. Natalie White (0-6) went the distance for the Bruins.
In the nightcap, Attleberger hit a solo shot to lead off the 2nd and get the Wildcats rolling. Another run scored in the inning on a wild pickoff throw to third, then Attleberger hit a two-run single to start a three-run 3rd. The Wildcats salted the game away with five in the 4th and nine in the 5th, both innings starting with lead-off triples by Jenny Marshall followed by RBI doubles by Brunette. Attleberger hit a two-run blast in the 4th, and Hancock had a two-run round-tripper in the 5th.
The Bruins ruined the Wildcats' bid for a shutout in the 5th on a base hit that wound up as a game-ending double play. Shelby Briske led off with a single and Erin Lee walked one out later. Griffith lined a single through the right side, and Briske was thrown out at the plate by right fielder Jessica Popiel. Griffith tried to advance to second on the throw and was caught in a rundown, with Lee coming all the way around from first to score before she could be tagged for the final out.
Marshall, Brunette, and Attleberger had three hits each in an 18-hit outburst by the Wildcats, with Marshall collecting two triples, Brunette two doubles, and Attleberger two home runs. Attleberger had five RBI as well and Brunette drove in three.
Brittany Miller (3-0) went three innings for the Linfield win, surrendering two hits with four strikeouts, and southpaw Claire Velaski finished up, allowing two hits and a run while fanning one and walking one. Torey Weatherman (0-6) worked into the 5th for the Bruins and was touched for 14 hits and 13 runs, 11 earned, with two strikeouts and three walks. Kerstyn Tsuruda got the final three outs after allowing four hits and six runs, three earned, with a strikeout and three walks.
George Fox goes to Willamette University and Linfield hosts Lewis & Clark College Sunday, both conference doubleheaders starting at 12:00 noon.