Linfield Limits Willamette's Offense to Defeat Bearcats, 7-0 and 3-2

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

McMINNVILLE, Ore. -- Linfield College pitchers Chris Haddeland and Aaron Thomassen each pitched complete games and limited Willamette University to a combined 10 hits, as the Wildcats defeated the Bearcats in both games of a doubleheader, 7-0 and 3-2, on Saturday, March 28 at Roy Helser Field. Haddeland improved to 5-1 on the season, while Thomassen moved to 5-2.

Willamette fell to 16-7 overall, including 9-6 in the Northwest Conference. Linfield, ranked #24 in the D3baseball.com Top 25, upped its record to 18-8 overall, 8-6 in the NWC.

In the first game, Haddeland held Willamette to just three hits -- all singles. He struck out five batters and allowed two walks. He is 4-0 in NWC games this season with two no-decisions in games eventually won by Linfield. The Bearcats earned seven hits off Thomassen in the second game.

The second game was a pitching battle between Thomassen and Willamette freshman starter Connor Loar (RHP, Danville, CA/San Ramon Valley HS). Loar allowed just eight hits and struck out three Wildcats. Thomassen also finished with three strikeouts. Neither pitcher allowed a walk.

Corey VanDomelen was the difference for Linfield in the second game, as he went 3 for 3 at the plate. He hit a solo home run in the third inning for a 2-0 lead. He doubled to open the eighth inning, and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Ben Andrews. He singled in the fifth inning on his way to hitting for three-fourths of the cycle.

Troy Conway (Fr., 2B, Moorpark, CA/Moorpark HS) led Willamette in the second game, as he went 2 for 4 with two RBIs. His single in the top of the fifth inning drove home Nate Bush (Fr., SS, Boise, ID/Boise HS) and Jordan Ramp (Sr., LF/RHP, Sherwood, OR/Sherwood HS/Saddleback College) to tie the game at 2-2.

Linfield took a 1-0 lead in the first game during the second inning. With one out, Scott Schepige singled toward shortstop. Scott Hilpert followed with a double down the left field line, sending Schepige to third. One out later, David Mason hit another single toward shortstop to drive in Schepige.

The score remained the same until the bottom of the fifth inning, when Linfield added three runs for a 4-0 advantage. Brady Rediger singled to start the inning, and then stole second base. He scored on a double by VanDomelen. Later, Andrews drove in a run on a fielder's choice and Jo Carroll brought home the third run with a sacrifice fly.

Rolenn Himuro (Sr., OF, Honolulu, HI/Punahou School) singled for Willamette to start the sixth inning, but a fly out and a 6-4-3 double play ended the threat. In the bottom of the sixth, Linfield plated the final three runs. VanDomelen smacked his second double of the game to drive in the first run. The other runs scored on doubles by Eric Lawson and Andrews.

Lawson was 4 for 5 in the first game with two doubles, two runs and an RBI. VanDomelen went 3 for 5 with two doubles, two runs and two RBIs. During the doubleheader, VanDomelen was 6 for 8 with four runs, three doubles, a homer and three RBIs. Lawson finished 5 for 9.

Conway was one of two Bearcats with two hits in the second game, as Hunter Gallant (Sr., 3B, Rescue, CA/Ponderosa HS) went 2 for 4. Mason Fessler (Fr., INF, Woodburn, OR/Blanchet Catholic School) was 1 for 1 in the first game and was 2 for 5 overall.

The Bearcats and the Wildcats will play the third game in the series on Sunday, March 29. First pitch is set for 12 p.m. (PDT).