By: Amanda Dow-Allen
Sports Information Assistant
GAME ONE
GAME TWO
McMINNVILLE, Ore. - The Lewis & Clark softball team opened Northwest Conference action on Saturday afternoon with its toughest test of the season, taking on the #14 Linfield Wildcats. The Pioneers dropped the first two games of the four game series.
The losses drop the Pioneers to 3-4 on the season and 0-2 in conference. The Wildcats are now 2-0 overall and in the NWC.
GAME ONE:
The Linfield Wildcats took control in game one in the first inning when they scored their first run after Katy Brosig walked and scored on an Ashley Garcia double.
In inning two, the Wildcats scored two more runs off two doubles and a single to make the score 3-0. Seven more runs were produced in inning three to take the game away and out of the reach for the Pioneers making it 10-0.
The Pioneers had one hit by freshman Kalin Rooney when she singled to center in the top of the fifth. Pitcher Jill Pinder (1-2) takes the loss giving up five hits and six runs, while walking five and striking out three. Rooney and Hallie Knife also saw time on the mound for the Pioneers. The Wildcats pitcher Karina Paavola takes her first win of the season against the Pioneers.
GAME TWO:
In game two, the Wildcats scored again in the first inning when Brosig doubled to left center, advanced to third on a passed ball and scored on a sac bunt by Garcia.
The Pioneers and pitcher
Madison Hollenbeck held the Wildcats to one run an inning through the first three while at the top of the third the Pioneers had two runners reach.
Jenai Rojo was hit by a pitch and then advanced to second on a fielders choice error on a Hollenbeck hit to shortstop. It was short lived as two groundouts ended the inning.
The Wildcats broke it open in the fifth scoring five runs to end the game early. Winning pitcher Shelby Vandebergh takes her first win on the season.
Hollenbeck (2-2) takes the loss pitching four innings, giving up nine hits and eight runs, while walking three and striking out four.
The Pioneers are back at it at Linfield College for another Northwest Conference double-header tomorrow starting at noon.
