Linfield Wins Battle with Bearcats, 7-2

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

McMINNVILLE, ORE. -- Linfield College retained its undefeated record in Northwest Conference play this season, as the Wildcats defeated visiting Willamette University, 7-2, on the indoor courts at the Linfield Tennis Center on Saturday, March 13. Linfield moved to 7-1 overall, 7-0 in the NWC. Willamette dropped to 7-4 on the season, including 7-2 in the NWC.

The Wildcats won a close match at #1 doubles, as Mark Magdaong and Brent Kingzett held off Michael Baumgartner (Fr., Albany, OR/West Albany HS) and Matthew Houser (Jr., Vancouver, WA/Evergreen HS), 9-7. Linfield's narrow win completed a sweep of the doubles matches for the Wildcats.

Magdaong and Baumgartner also played a closely contested first set at #1 singles. Magdaong won the set in a tie-breaker on his way to a 7-6 (7-3), 6-1 victory.

At #2 sinlges, WU's Joshua Wong (Fr., Hilo, HI/Hilo HS) battled Kyle Anderson of Linfield for three sets. Anderson claimed a narrow win, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4.

Cody Ferguson (So., North Bend, OR/North Bend HS/Western Oregon Univ.) achieved a quick victory for Willamette at #3 singles over Tal DeWitt, 6-2, 6-0. Houser also registered a win for the Bearcats at #4 singles, as he defeated Mitchell Davidson, 6-3, 6-4.

Willamette will play its third match in three days when the Bearcats host Whitman College on Sunday, March 14. The match is scheduled to get underway at 1 p.m. (PDT) at the Willamette University Tennis Courts. Whitman is tied with Linfield for the conference lead at 7-0.

Saturday, March 13
At Linfield Tennis Center, McMinnville, Ore.

Linfield College 7, Willamette University 2

Singles
#1 - Mark Madgaong (LIN) defeated Michael Baumgartner (WU), 7-6 (7-3), 6-1
#2 - Kyle Anderson (LIN) defeated Josh Wong (WU), 2-6, 6-4, 6-4
#3 - Cody Ferguson (WU) defeated Tal DeWitt (LIN), 6-2, 6-0
#4 - Matthew Houser (WU) defeated Mitchell Davidson (LIN), 6-3, 6-4
#5 - Brent Kingzett (LIN) defeated Luke Lagattuta (WU), 6-2, 6-0
#6 - Matt Levering (LIN) defeated Micah Mack (WU), 6-2, 6-0

Doubles
#1 - Magdaong and Kingzett (LIN) defeated Baumgartner and Houser (WU), 9-7
#2 - Anderson and DeWitt (LIN) defeated Wong and Ferguson (WU), 8-5
#3 - Matt Kauffman and Cody Levien (LIN) defeated Lagattuta and Mack (WU), 8-3

Records:
Linfield College is 7-1 overall, 7-0 NWC. Willamette University is 7-4, 7-2 NWC.