Box Score Game 1

Box Score Game 2

McMINNVILLE, Ore.  – In a Northwest Conference softball doubleheader that was moved ahead one day due to expected wet weather over the weekend, the 22nd-ranked Linfield College Wildcats stayed unbeaten with a 14-1, 9-1 sweep of the George Fox University Bruins, both in five innings, Friday night here at the Linfield softball diamond.

In the opening game, Emilee Lepp went 4-for-4 at the plate, scored twice, and drove in five runs as the Wildcats jumped to an 8-1 lead after two innings. Alex Hartmann and Rochelle Friend contributed three hits apiece to pace a 17-hit Linfield attack. Hartman doubled and drove in four runs while Friend scored three times.

George Fox picked up its lone run in the 2nd inning when Becka Doyle drilled her second home run of the season over the left-field wall.  Kristen Griffith also went 2-for-3 for the Bruins.

Wildcat pitchers Kendra Strahm (4-0) and Lauren Harvey combined for a four-hitter, Strahm striking out five in three innings.  Chelsea Bradely (3-8) took the loss, pitching four innings and walking three without a strikeout.

In the second game, Staci Doucette got the Wildcats going in the 1st inning with a two-run double to right-center field.  George Fox cut the Linfield in half on Shelby Briske's solo home run blast in the 2nd, her first of the season.

Leading just 2-1 in the 3rd against the underdog Bruins, Doucette ignited the Linfield bats with a two-run bomb.  The Wildcats added a single run in the 4th on an RBI by Friend, then put the finishing touches on the Bruins in the 5th as Sami Keim singled to drive in two runs and Candace Fujino belted a triple to right field that scored two more, ending the game by the eight-run rule.

Doucette went 3-for-3 with four RBIs to power the 'Cats at the plate.   

Samantha Van Noy (2-0) earned the win, striking out three in four innings while allowing two hits and no walks.  Claire Velaski tossed the final frame.  Bradely (3-9) gave up seven hits, fanning two and walking a pair.

George Fox (3-10, NWC 2-4) is scheduled to host Willamette University Sunday in a doubleheader at 12:00 noon.  Linfield (8-0, NWC 8-0) treks to Portland Sunday, weather permitting, to take on Lewis & Clark College in a twinbill, also at noon.