In recognition of its individual and team success over the past week, Linfield’s baseball program has received acclaim at both the conference and national level.

On the same day Tim Wilson (Jr., Redmond, Wash.) was named the Northwest Conference Baseball Position Student-Athlete of the Week and claimed a spot on the D3baseball.com Team of the Week, the previously unranked Wildcats broke into the latter organization’s national poll as the 22nd-ranked club in Division III.

Wilson hit .438 (7-for-16) over four games at the Cascade/Northwest Conference Baseball Challenge, leading the ‘Cats to nonconference wins over Pacific Lutheran, Corban, Pacific and Oregon Tech by a combined score of 23-3. As the team's leadoff hitter, he tallied four extra-base hits – including two triples in a single game – to drive in three runs and score three more. Defensively, the All-American registered a perfect fielding percentage in 27 chances at second base and right field.

Through the first eight games, Wilson batted .375, racked up a team-high 19 total bases and stole four bags. He has four multiple-hit games already this season and has posted a base hit in each of his last six plate appearances.

Since dropping its season opener against La Verne, Linfield has won seven straight contests, including three at the Arizona Desert Classic and four at the CCC/NWC Challenge. During that stretch, the Wildcats outscored their opponents 53-13, collected 92 hits and boasted a 1.01 team ERA with 52 total strikeouts.

NEXT: The race for the Northwest Conference title begins with a three-game series against Pacific. First pitch for Saturday’s doubleheader against the Boxers is scheduled for noon at Linfield's Roy Helser Field.