TACOMA, Wash. — Linfield University captured its eighth consecutive Northwest Conference Softball Tournament title on Sunday with a 6-1 victory over Pacific Lutheran University.
The Wildcats opened the scoring in the second inning, using a two-run double from Lexiss Antle to take an early lead. Pacific Lutheran responded in the third, cutting the deficit to 2-1 when Bri Sarae delivered a two-out RBI single after Paola Garcia reached on a double.
Linfield added to its lead in the fifth inning with a pair of doubles, including one from Meara Sain, before Sain extended the advantage in the sixth with a two-run home run. Sain finished with three RBIs, while Antle also contributed two hits and two RBIs.
Tyler McNeley earned the win in the circle, limiting the Lutes to four hits and one run while striking out five. Paige Wilson went the distance for Pacific Lutheran, recording six strikeouts.
Sarae led PLU offensively, going 2-for-3 with an RBI.
With the win, Linfield secured the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament. Pacific Lutheran, the regular season champion, will await possible at-large selection when the NCAA bracket is announced on May 11.