Grindy Throws Complete Game, as Bearcats Claim 4-3 Victory to Gain Split with Linfield

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

McMINNVILLE, ORE. -- Devin Grindy (So., RHP, Washougal, WA/Camas HS) threw a complete-game for Willamette University and limited Linfield College to seven hits, as the Bearcats defeated the Wildcats, 4-3, in the second game of a Northwest Conference doubleheader on Sunday, April 19 at Roy Helser Field. Linfield scored seven runs in the second inning of the first game on its way to a 13-1 win.

Willamette evened its overall record at 17-17 and went to 14-13 in the NWC. Linfield, ranked #16 in NCAA Division III, ended the afternoon at 27-9 overall, 21-7 in the NWC.

Grindy recorded his second complete game of the season. He struck out two batters and did not allow a walk. He improved to 4-5 on the season.

Willamette scored the tying and winning runs in the top of the sixth inning. Doug Bloom (So., SS, Salem, OR/South Salem HS) singled to center field with one out to start the rally.

Michael Dearborn (So., 2B, Solana Beach, CA/Torrey Pines HS) singled, sending Bloom to third. Jack McGee (Sr., 1B/RHP, Hillsborough, CA/St. Ignatius HS) also provided a single, as Bloom tallied the tying run.

The winning run scored when Linfield pitcher Bryon Clevenger balked while attempting to intentionally walk Kyle Stalker (Sr., 1B, Bellevue, WA/Sammamish HS). Clevenger failed to come to a complete stop while throwing from the stretch.

In the bottom of the sixth, Linfield's Stew Davis doubled to right center with one out. Grindy caused Zach Boskovich to fly out and Don Bard to ground out to end the inning. Grindy faced just three batters in the seventh to finish his complete-game performance.

WU outhit the Wildcats, 8-7, in the win. Dearborn was 2 for 2 and scored twice. He also drove in a run. Lee was 2 for 4 with an RBI, as he went 3 for 6 during the doubleheader. Bloom also went 2 for 4 and scored once.

Eric Evenson was 2 for 3 with a run scored for Linfield in the second game. Tyson Smith was 2 for 3 with a run and one RBI.

Linfield built a 13-0 lead in the first three innings of the opener. The Wildcats earned 12 hits during the game, while the Bearcats managed just three hits.

WU sophomore left fielder T.C. Lee (Lafayette, CA/Acalanes HS) provided Willamette's only run when he smacked a solo homer in the fifth inning. Max Stepan (So., C, Pueblo, CO/Pueblo County HS) and Jake Atwell-Scrivner (Sr., Bellevue, WA/Newport HS) each hit a single for the Bearcats.

Linfield starter Cameron Larson threw six innings and gave up all three hits. He struck out four Bearcats and allowed two walks, while improving to 6-2 on the season. Willamette's starter, Kelsey Nakata (Sr., RHP, Mililani, HI/Mililani HS), went 1 2/3 innings and fell to 1-2 with the loss. Quinn Humphries (So., RHP, Littleton, CO/Chatfield HS), the third of three pitchers for WU, tossed the final 3 2/3 innings and allowed just one run and two hits.

Cole Bixenman of Linfield hit a two-run homer with two outs in the second inning. Later in the inning, Tyson Smith connected on a two-RBI single. Six of LC's seven runs during the stanza were scored with two outs.

The Wildcats held a 9-0 lead after two innings. Linfield added four runs in the third frame, with Ty Stanley providing the key hit with a double to right center that drove in two runs.

Willamette closes out the regular season next weekend with an NWC series against Pacific University. All four games will be played at John Lewis Field in Salem, Ore., with a doubleheader on Saturday, April 25 and another doubleheader on Sunday, April 26. First pitch is set for 12 p.m. (PDT) each day.

Statistics will be posted later.