Some athletes may travel from state to state playing their sport. Senior Lynette Cole did much more than that as she traveled across the pond in 2011 to study abroad in the United Kingdom.

While in the U.K., Cole played lacrosse for Lancaster University.

“I wanted to play while I was abroad,” Cole said. “I would have played rugby if not for lacrosse, it just made sense.”

Playing for Lancaster University gave Cole the opportunity to work on her skills, as she was one of the top players for the team.

“I learned how to drive the ball,” Cole said. “I became more confident with the ball and the flow of the game came more naturally to me.”

Cole started playing lacrosse in college so the sport was fairly new to her, especially when she was abroad as a sophomore.

“The more contact with the stick you get makes you better,”  Cole said. “I came back as a whole new player.”

Cole said her lacrosse experience in the U.K. was great, but the best part was the social aspect of the sport.

“All my best friends [in the U.K.] played lacrosse,” Cole said.

The men and women’s lacrosse teams would hang out regularly and this is where they developed their friendships.

“The social aspect was the best part,” Cole said.

Cole proceeded to say that every student should study abroad and maximize their experience by participating in different activities.

“Everybody should study abroad,” Cole said. “[While abroad] don’t be afraid to join clubs or even sports.”

The Wildcats’ 2013 lacrosse season ended April 12. Cole concluded her college career by playing midfield for the team, starting every game.

Chris Haddeland/Senior reporter

Chris Haddeland can be reached at linfieldreviewsports@gmail.com.

Post-season play is on the doorstep. There was a need for a lead. It was the final day where a home game was possible.

The No. 7 Linfield softball team needed to get something started if it was to avoid extra innings. But it had either been tied or trailed defending Division III champions Pacific Lutheran all game. The game was now tied 2-2 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning. Leading off the inning for the ‘Cats was one of just two seniors on the entire roster.

The senior, Karleigh Prestianni, coolly laced the second pitch into left field for a base hit. Just what the playoff doctor ordered (yes, there is a playoff doctor. Not sure about his/her pay grade, but it must be substantial). Prestianni would come around to score in the inning, and Linfield would not relinquish the 3-2 lead.

“We’ve seen [Pacific Lutheran pitcher] Kaaren Hatlen quite a few times over the years so I knew I was going to get something inside…in the at bat and I got it on the second pitch…and it worked out,” Prestianni said.

With the win, Linfield took home the NWC tournament crown on its home field and clinched an automatic berth into the NCAA tournament.

After losing a lot of talent from last year’s team that finished runner up to Pacific Lutheran University in the National Title game, and with just two seniors on the roster, Linfield dominated the NWC this season.

When asked about the success of this young team, Prestianni said, “We lost a lot of talent from last year, but this team has been so much fun to play on because everyone has so much heart…the underclassmen have stepped up huge, and it’s cool to see them growing up and getting better every day.”

It’s true, this team is by far the best in the NWC. It won the NWC regular season by seven full games. The top three leaders in batting average in the NWC are all Linfield players—sophomore Erin Carson, Prestianni and junior Ashley Garcia. The leader in home runs is Linfield sophomore, Lisa Yamamoto. The three leaders in ERA are all Linfield pitchers—sophomore Montana McNealy, and juniors Karina Paavola and Shelby VandeBergh. Paavola leads the league in strikeouts by a staggering 40 total strikeouts. Linfield’s sophomore Grace Middlestadt leads the league in stolen bases.

Get the idea?

It has even saved its best play for the final half of the season. After a loss to Chapman University on March 22, Linfield has won 19 of its past 20 games. The team is on fire when the games are beginning to matter more.

“I think we have a great shot in the postseason. It’s all about who plays good at the right time and I think we a have a very good opportunity to do that,” Prestianni said.

With the NWC tournament victory, Prestianni said, “today was like our real senior day.”

One of the perks of winning the league is hosting the conference tournament. Of course, hosting the tournament is only made sweeter by winning said tournament.

Now the ‘Cats embark on an NCAA tournament journey. They just picked up another perk: they are guaranteed a spot. Based off of the success of the team this year, if it is in need of a lead in the coming games, it can get the job done.

Just ask the rest of the NWC. This team is one of the best.

Tyler Bradley/Sports columnist

 Tyler Bradley can be reached at linfieldreviewsports@gmail.com.

In a 0-6 match, the Wildcats fell to the Whitman College Missionaries in the Northwest Conference, ending their season April 19.

“Even though we lost our last game, the team worked really hard, and we had a great time playing this season,” sophomore Katie Krieger said.

The Wildcats ended the season with an 8-10 record and a 7-5 record during the regular conference season.

Driving out to Walla Walla , Wash., was a bonding experience for the team’s last game.

“We have traveled as a group before,” Krieger said. “To California and Washington. Traveling during our last match was really nice though, we realized how close we had become as a team.”

The Missionaries were favored 16-3 going into the match, but the Wildcats finished strong, taking fourth in the Northwest Conference.

“I was so happy to be part of this team,” freshman Kelley Nemchick said. “I learned a lot and made a lot of new friends.”

Playing in the last game of her college career, senior Lexi Thomas reflected on her time playing for Linfield tennis.

“Having played for Linfield for three years and having great teammates along with great coaches, it will be strange not playing next year,” Thomas said.

Thomas has a record of 18 singles and 24 doubles wins during her time at Linfield.

“The score honestly didn’t show how well I played, which was disappointing,” Thomas said about her final match.

“I’m hoping that since I will be on campus for another year to finish my degree, that I can still possibly hit with my teammates and possibly help out as an assistant coach,” Thomas said. “I will miss my teammates and all the times we had when we were playing matches on the road, but they are memories that I will cherish.”

Olivia Marovich/Staff writer

Quinn Carlin can be reached atlinfieldreviewsports@gmail.com.

Catball swept the conference tournament held at Del Smith Stadium on April 20 and 21, with a 3-0 record. The softball team will receive an automatic bid in the regional tournament.

Two of the games were a close call, but the Wildcats made sure to pull through in the end to secure their spot in the tournament.

“We were very excited to be playing the conference tournament on our own field, and it felt really good to win at home in front of our fans,” junior pitcher Shelby VandeBergh said.

In the final round of the tournament, the Wildcats took down Pacific Lutheran University, 3-2. Catball faced the Lutes in the conference tournament and division finals last year. The Wildcats were left with a loss in both face-offs.

Junior Karina Paavola had four strikeouts on the Lutes and reliever Montana McNealy also had one as well.

In the second inning, sophomore Lisa Yamamoto hit a home run for the Wildcats, bringing in their first run of the game and tying the game 1-1. The Lutes responded with a home run of their own, pushing them in the lead.

The Wildcats did not stand silent as senior Karleigh Prestianni hit a single that drove sophomore Grace Middelstadt home, making the score 2-2.

Both teams struggled to bring in runs during the fourth and fifth.

Linfield broke the silence in the sixth with a single RBI from junior Ashley Garcia, securing the win for the Wildcats.

On day one, the Wildcats took down Pacific University and Whitworth University, winning both 3-2, 12-0.

Paavola had gained a dozen strikeouts, earning her 20th win of the season in her seven-inning appearance.

The Boxers came in scoring a run in the first but the Wildcats tied the game in the bottom of the first. Middelstadt walked and then made it to third on a wild pitch. A mishandled ball allowed Middelstadt to score a run for the Wildcats.

In the fourth, the Boxers hit a double RBI that brought them back in the lead, 2-1.

At the bottom of the fifth, senior Megan Wallo hit a single into the left field, bringing junior Katy Brosig home. Prestianni slammed a double to drive home Wallo, putting the Wildcats in the lead and claiming the first win of the tournament.

In the second game against Whitworth, VandeBergh only allowed two hits and one walk in the shutout game against the Pirates.

The Wildcats got the bases loaded in the first inning, but the Pirates’ number one pitcher Riley Fitz struck out both Yamamoto and Garcia, leaving Catball scoreless in the inning.

During the second, sophomore Erin Carson scored the first run of the game. Prestianni hit a single to the right field, driving both Middelstadt and sophomore McKenna Spieth to home plate. She then went on to steal second.

Prestianni, Wallo and Yamamoto also scored runs for the Wildcats.

Another six runs were made in the fourth with two RBI from Prestianni and Garcia. Carson and Spieth both hit single RBIs, making the score 6-0.

The live selection show will take place at 6:30 a.m. May 6.

Catball will next compete at the NCAA Regional Tournament on May 8 or 9. The destination is yet to be determined.

“Each weekend our goal is to get better,” VandeBergh said. “We want to be playing our best at the end of the season so we hope to improve each time we step on the field together.”

Ivanna Tucker

Sports editor

Ivanna Tucker can be reached at

Catball swept the conference tournament held at Del Smith Stadium on April 20 and 21, with a 3-0 record. The softball team will receive an automatic bid in the regional tournament.

Two of the games were a close call, but the Wildcats made sure to pull through in the end to secure their spot in the tournament.

“We were very excited to be playing the conference tournament on our own field, and it felt really good to win at home in front of our fans,” junior pitcher Shelby VandeBergh said.

In the final round of the tournament, the Wildcats took down Pacific Lutheran University, 3-2. Catball faced the Lutes in the conference tournament and division finals last year. The Wildcats were left with a loss in both face-offs.

Junior Karina Paavola had four strikeouts on the Lutes and reliever Montana McNealy also had one as well.

In the second inning, sophomore Lisa Yamamoto hit a home run for the Wildcats, bringing in their first run of the game and tying the game 1-1. The Lutes responded with a home run of their own, pushing them in the lead.

The Wildcats did not stand silent as senior Karleigh Prestianni hit a single that drove sophomore Grace Middelstadt home, making the score 2-2.

Both teams struggled to bring in runs during the fourth and fifth.

Linfield broke the silence in the sixth with a single RBI from junior Ashley Garcia, securing the win for the Wildcats.

On day one, the Wildcats took down Pacific University and Whitworth University, winning both 3-2, 12-0.

Paavola had gained a dozen strikeouts, earning her 20th win of the season in her seven-inning appearance.

The Boxers came in scoring a run in the first but the Wildcats tied the game in the bottom of the first. Middelstadt walked and then made it to third on a wild pitch. A mishandled ball allowed Middelstadt to score a run for the Wildcats.

In the fourth, the Boxers hit a double RBI that brought them back in the lead, 2-1.

At the bottom of the fifth, senior Megan Wallo hit a single into the left field, bringing junior Katy Brosig home. Prestianni slammed a double to drive home Wallo, putting the Wildcats in the lead and claiming the first win of the tournament.

In the second game against Whitworth, VandeBergh only allowed two hits and one walk in the shutout game against the Pirates.

The Wildcats got the bases loaded in the first inning, but the Pirates’ number one pitcher Riley Fitz struck out both Yamamoto and Garcia, leaving Catball scoreless in the inning.

During the second, sophomore Erin Carson scored the first run of the game. Prestianni hit a single to the right field, driving both Middelstadt and sophomore McKenna Spieth to home plate. She then went on to steal second.

Prestianni, Wallo and Yamamoto also scored runs for the Wildcats.

Another six runs were made in the fourth with two RBI from Prestianni and Garcia. Carson and Spieth both hit single RBIs, making the score 6-0.

The live selection show will take place at 6:30 a.m. May 6.

Catball will next compete at the NCAA Regional Tournament on May 8 or 9. The destination is yet to be determined.

“Each weekend our goal is to get better,” VandeBergh said. “We want to be playing our best at the end of the season so we hope to improve each time we step on the field together.”

Ivanna Tucker/Sports editor

Ivanna Tucker can be reached at linfieldreviewsports@gmail.com.

The Wildcats pulled in wins in 13 events at the George Fox University Rich Allen Classic on March 9.

The women’s team won the meet with 83 points, followed by the defending conference champion George Fox.

Senior Melany Crocker won both the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes. This was her first competitive meet following her summer injury. Sophomore Halsie Peek had season bests in the 100-meter and 200-meter, finishing second in both with 12.98 seconds and 26.4 seconds.

Sophomore Ellie Schmidt was another Wildcat claiming a win. Schmidt finished first in the 400-meter with one minute, 3.10 seconds, a career best. Peek, Crocker, Schmidt and freshman Rachael Gernhart pulled a victory in the 4×100 relay.

Gernhart also won in the triple jump with 34 feet, 8.25 inches. Sophomore Siena Noe finished in front of the pack in the 5,000-meter with a career best time of 18 minutes, 45.62 seconds. Freshman Joy Harpham finished first in the high jump with a career best.

In the throwing, junior Anna LaBeaume earned wins in shot put and hammer throw. LeBeaume was also honored as the top conference field athlete of the week. Junior Courtney Alley finished on top for discus and was second in shot put.

On the men’s side, junior Jason Cheyne took first in the 200-meter and second in the 100-meter, with 11.35 seconds. Senior Lester Maxwell had a season best in the 400-meter, with 51.38 seconds and claimed another win for the Wildcats.

Freshman Clay Monahan earned the final win for the Wildcats in the 110-meter hurdles.

The men’s throwers had three runner-ups. Senior Drew Wert claimed shot put. Senior Kyle Pfeifer threw 143 feet, 6 inches in the hammer. Sophomore Morgunn Ewing came in second in javelin.

The Wildcats will next compete in the Pacific Multi-Events meet March 14 and 15.

In addition, most of the team will be competing in the Wildcat Open at 10 a.m. March 16.

Ivanna Tucker/ Sports editor

Ivanna Tucker can be reached at linfieldreviewsports@gmail.com

Ivanna Tucker / Sports editor

Ivanna Tucker can be reached at linfieldreviewsports@gmail.com.

The softball team was forced to rush to the airport during its final game of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Leadoff Classic and was booed at as it loaded into the vans.

During the final game against Illinois Wesleyan University on March 10, the coaches and umpires made an agreement to end the game at 4:10 p.m. The game began an hour late and the Wildcats did not finish. All statistics from this game will not be counted, leaving the game labeled as unofficial.

Prior to the static halt, Catball was in the lead 4-1. Two seniors Megan Wallo and Karleigh Prestianni drove in two runs each during the fourth inning. When the clock hit 4:10 p.m., Wesleyan had tied the game and were threatening with the bases loaded.

In the championship semifinals against Claremont College, the Wildcats were shutout and forced to compete for third place.

Junior Karina Paavola was outpitched by the Claremont pitcher, who was one hit shy from a perfect game. The Athenas scored the winning run in the second inning. This was Paavola’s first loss of the season.

On March 9, Paavola and junior Shelby VandeBergh threw shutout games. Sophomore Erin Carson went five for seven during the games.

During the game against Fontbonne, the Wildcats ended the second inning with a 7-0 advantage.  They scored their final run in the third and coasted along to win the game.

Carson hit a triple that drove in two of the Wildcats’ runs. Wallo also added two  hits that totaled the Wildcats nine hits in comparison to the Griffins’ three.

Paavola struck out four Griffin hitters. Paavola threw first pitch strikes to 12 of the 18 batters. During the University of St. Thomas game, Carson was again a key component of the Wildcats’ offense going three for four with three RBI. Junior Ashley Garcia also helped driving in three runs.

VandeBergh threw a shutout, allowing only two hits, two walks while striking out two Tommie batters. No baserunners advanced farther than first base.

On March 8, the Wildcats split the first two games of the tournament.

Catball pulled a 9-1 victory against Ithaca College, causing the game to end after six innings. Paavola had nine strikeouts, allowing only two singles. Freshman Maddie Dunn came in the sixth to close the game out, only allowing one walk.

Prestianni and Garcia both hit triples, driving in five Wildcat runs. In the sixth, the Wildcats quickly earned three more runs, sealing the victory.

The Wildcats took a tough loss against Gustavas Adolphus College, losing 2-1.

Adolphus scored the winning run in the fifth off a bases loaded fielder’s choice. Prestianni had a single and double, while sophomores Grace Middelstadt and Chelan Guischer provided the other two hits for the ’Cats.

Sophomore reliever Montana McNealy replaced VandeBergh in four and two thirds innings. McNealy allowed one hit and a walk.

Catball is next scheduled to play a double header against Lewis and Clark College at noon March 16 at Del Smith Stadium.