McMINNVILLE, Ore. – Showing no rust in their season debut, the No. 1-ranked Linfield Wildcats lived up to their preseason billing, pounding the Whitworth Pirates 12-2 and 10-1 in a pair of Northwest Conference games shortened by the eight-run rule.

Returning all but one starter from a club that hit a NCAA record 78 home runs a year ago, Linfield hung 27 hits and five homers on a trio of Whitworth pitchers. The Pirates (2-6, 0-2 NWC) fell behind by multiple runs in the early stages of both games and never recovered.

GAME 1
All-American Stacy Doucette blasted a three-run homer with her first at-bat, Jaydee Baxter went 4-for-4, and pitchers Claire Velaski and Karina Paavola (Jr., Kelso, Wash.) combined to hold the Pirates to two hits. The game was halted after five innings by the mercy rule.

The Wildcats wasted no time in taking command, piling up eight runs during a first-inning onslaught. Linfield added two more runs in both the second and third frames to blow the game open.

Linfield amassed 16 hits in the game. In addition to Baxter and Doucette, Sami Keim, Kayla Hubrich and Jordan Mixsell also contributed multi-hit games.

Velaski pitched the first four innings while Linfield built an insurmountable 12-1 lead. The reigning NWC Pitcher of the Year struck out six pirates while surrendering two hits and one earned run. Paavola, making her collegiate debut, allowed three hits, but struck out a pair.

Jamie Bruner and Hanna Boyd scored each of Whitworth’s runs. Pirates starter Jessica Mangis

GAME 2
Freshman Katy Brosig (Jr., Forest Grove, Ore.) blasted a three-run homer in the fifth inning, putting the exclamation point on a lopsided outcome in the six-inning nightcap.

Linfield plated two runs in both the first and third innings, building a modest 4-0 cushion at the game’s midway point.

Wildcats starter Lauren Harvey held the Pirates without a run through the game’s first five innings before Whitworth got on the board with a late score. Caty Lieseke’s single to left field scored Kelsey Ayers.

Emily Anderson (1-2) took the loss for the Pirates. She gave up 11 hits, eight earned runs and three walks across 5 2/3 innings.

Karleigh Prestianni (Sr., Grants Pass, Ore.) was 2-for-3 with a double and drove in three runs, Emilee Lepp and Emily Keagbine took turns hitting home runs, and Doucette banged two more hits on Anderson.

Harvey ended the game with four strikeouts against no walks. She held the Pirates to three hits through the game’s first five innings before Whitworth raised that total to six in the final frame.

NEXT: A oncoming rain/snow storm is expected to move into the Willamette Valley overnight, forcing Sunday’s doubleheader between Linfield and Whitworth to be relocated to Pasco, Wash. The teams will play starting at noon at Columbia Basin Community College.