Popiel's heroics cap series sweep

March 11, 2007

McMINNVILLE, Ore. ? Late game heroics by freshman outfielder Jessica Popiel put the cap on a four-game sweep by the Linfield Wildcats over the Puget Sound Loggers in Northwest Conference softball action Sunday at the Linfield softball complex.

Popiel's double to right field broke a 5-all standoff in the eighth inning of Game 2, helping the Wildcats rally from a 2-0 deficit. Earlier, Linfield came from behind to hammer UPS 12-2 in five innings in the day's opening game.

The Wildcats improved to 7-1 in the conference and overall. The Loggers, who came to McMinnville sporting a 4-0 record, departed with a .500 record.

GAME 1
Linfield spotted the Loggers a two-run lead in the first inning, then erupted for 12 runs over the next four innings to roll to the lopsided win.

Lindsay Fujita launched a two-run homer, her second of the season, over the left-field fence and the Loggers led 2-0.

Jenny Marshall went 3 for 4 and drove in five runs, and Stephanie Rice went 3 for 4 and scored three times to pace the Wildcats at the plate.

Fujita picked up the Loggers' only hits of the game.

Adrian Herlache took the loss to fall to 2-3. Herlache allowed 11 hits and six walks.

Linfield starter Erica Hancock struck out five Loggers during the two-hit complete-game victory.

GAME 2
Marshall went 3 for 4, and Popiel drove in four runs, including the game-winner as the Wildcats recovered from a 5-2 deficit after five innings.

Popiel single-handedly tied the game at 5 with a her first home run of the season, a three-run shot over the left-field fence.

In the eighth, Jena Loop singled to center, then moved to third on an error. That set up Popiel's clutch hit that put the finishing touches on the series sweep of the Loggers.

Popiel was thrust into the lineup when Wildcats captain Lisa Smith was forced to leave Game 1 with a serious injury suffered in a collision at home plate.

Samantha Van Noy (Jr., Sherwood, Ore.) tossed a six-hitter to earn the win, raising her record to 3-0. Allie Hooks, the UPS starter, took the loss. Hooks allowed 12 hits without a strikeout before giving way to Herlache in the eighth.

COMING UP: The Wildcats host Southern Oregon in a nonconference doubleheader Saturday starting at 3 p.m. It will be the final series before Linfield departs on an eight-game swing through southern California during spring break.

Jessica Popiel
3 for 6, 6 RBIs