NWC Softball: Wildcats Clobber Pioneers, 15-0

Linfield boosted its season record to 17-4 and 8-1 in the NWC.

Jenny Marshall had 4 hits, 2 runs, 2 RBIs for Linfield. Photo: Linfield Athletics

PORTLAND - Rebounding from their worst loss of the season, the fifth-ranked Linfield Wildcats took out their frustrations on Lewis & Clark Saturday during a 15-0 avalanche on the Pioneers’ home field.

The game was shortened to six innings by the eight-run rule.

The second game of Saturday’s twinbill was suspended by rain after the first inning. Action is set to resume Sunday at 11:00 AM at the Linfield softball diamond, prior to the two team’s scheduled doubleheader.

Linfield boosted its season record to 17-4 and 8-1 in the NWC.

GAME 1

Erica Hancock improved to 6-0 in the pitching circle with at two-hit gem, striking out four Pioneers.

Kendra Strahm saw her first action of the season in relief of Hancock, allowing one hit during the sixth inning.

After leading the Wildcats with 17 pitching wins last season, Strahm had been sidelined since the fall by a serious injury that required surgery.

The Linfield batting order pounded 19 hits - the third-most in program history - and capitalized on four fielding lapses by Lewis & Clark to roll to the lopsided victory.

Jenny Marshall went 4 for 5 and scored a pair of runs, Amanda Attleberger was 3 for 3 and scored twice, and Meredith Brunette and Jena Loop each added three hits for the Wildcats, who rebounded from their worst loss of the season, an 8-0 shutout Wednesday at Redlands.

Brunette doubled twice and drove home five runs.

Linfield erupted for four runs in the fourth inning, then scored nine times in the sixth to win going away.

GAME 2

Linfield was leading 1-0 after one complete inning when a band of rain moving through Portland forced suspension of the game.

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