LINFIELD UNIVERSITY BASEBALL VERSUS COLLEGE OF IDAHO • MARCH 31-APRIL 2, 2023

WELCOME TO LINFIELD UNIVERSITY

TODAY’S

ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

Dr. Garry Killgore

EVENT MANAGER

Doug Hire

COMMUNICATIONS

Kaho Akau, Joe Stuart, Kelly Bird

STATISTICS

Joe Miglioretto

game operations | event staff 25

PUBLIC ADDRESS AND SCOREBOARD

Jeremy Nettrouer

VIDEO WEBCASTS

Joe Stuart, Isaac Milner, Jack Stallard, Johnny Miller, Ben Baxter

GAME PROGRAM

Kelly Bird, Felip Unker, Kaho Akau

WILDCAT SPOTLIGHT

WILDCAT SPOTLIGHT

A SEASON TO REMEMBER

Linfield’s 2013 NCAA championship club didn’t lack for star power, but its ability to overcome adversity and remain confident was what carried the ’Cats to the title

by katherine brackmann

Arecord-breaking 42 victories. The National Pitcher of the Year. And an NCAA Division III Championship.

Ten years ago this spring, Linfield achieved all three milestones and more in what was an historic season.

Spurred by three All-Americans but fueled by a preeminent sense of team, the Wildcats had both the talent and the mentality befitting of the nation’s top ballclub.

Chris Haddeland (15-1, 1.07 ERA, 96 Ks), Tim Wilson (.401, 87 hits, 31 SB) and Jake Wylie (.396, 66 RBI, 8 HR) posted astronomical numbers and were deservingly recognized as first team All-Americans.

But it was also the unselfish attitude and burning desire to succeed modeled by four seniors – Kyle Chamberlain, Jordan Harlow, Michael Hopp and Wilson – that helped the Wildcats erase the memory of last year’s playoff snub, bringing home the first NCAA title in program history (and third overall, counting NAIA triumphs in 1966 and ‘71) while setting numerous records along the way, including an all-time standard of 42 victories.

“This team hated to lose,” said head coach Scott Brosius. “That was a constant about them; they were bothered by every loss. It was a healthy thing because it was about their competitiveness…they carried a little chip on their shoulder.”

Perpetually undeterred by adversity and always confident of victory, Linfield never lost back-to-back games during its championship season. The ‘Cats won in a multitude of ways, too. They went 4-1 in games decided by one run and 24-3 in games decided by five runs or more. In perhaps the most memorable game of the year, Linfield was shut out for six innings before mounting a four-run comeback against Wisconsin-Stevens Point that put the ‘Cats in the driver’s seat at the NCAA Finals. Few outside the program could have predicted the ending the Wildcats enjoyed. Linfield was unranked to start the season, picked to finish third in the Northwest Conference and opened the year with a shutout loss.

But the ‘Cats bounced back with a vengeance, outscoring their opponents 30-4 over the final three games of the Arizona Desert Classic. And once the conference season got rolling, they never stopped. Linfield won every weekend of NWC action, including five sweeps, and captured the league title by four games with a 21-3 record.

By the middle part of the year, the secret was out: the Wildcats had secured their first No. 1 ranking of the DIII era and were well on their way to writing even more history.

One person who knew of Linfield’s potential from the get-go was Brosius. “Before the season even started, I really liked this team,” he said. Talent-wise, “I liked how the pieces fit in terms of

flexibility. With guys who could play multiple positions, we could tweak the lineup when we needed to.

“Off the field, it was guys of great character…They believed in each other, they had a team-first mentality, they pulled for each other.”

The team pulled its way to Austin, where they had to get past a dangerous Trinity team two of out three times to earn a trip to the NCAA Finals

Linfield saved its best for Appleton. The Wildcats got stellar starting pitching performances from Haddeland, Aaron Thomassen and Zach Brandon. Hitter after hitter proved clutch at the plate, from Wilson’s game-tying triple against Stevens Point to Nick Fisher’s leadoff double and Chamberlain’s squeeze bunt against Southern Maine in the championship game.

“Sometimes it boils down to one hit or one play that one team makes and the other team doesn’t,” Brosius said when asked about the difference between this year’s team and past championship contenders. “This year we got the big hit.”

The only unfortunate part about a season like the Wildcats experienced in 2013 is how some performances are left out of the spotlight.

Fisher, second team All-Region honoree, began the year hitting in the bottom of the order, but worked hard to become a complete all-around player and took on a greater offensive role as a three-hole hitter by the end of the season.

Thomassen “had probably the greatest overlooked year that a guy’s ever had,” Brosius said. With a 12-0 record and 1.54 ERA against Division III opponents – the only loss coming to NAIA powerhouse and national runner-up Lewis-Clark State – Linfield’s No. 2 pitcher could easily go toe-to-toe with any other team’s ace. “He certainly wasn’t overshadowed in terms of coaches and players and his importance on this team.”

Two-time first team NWC all-star Kramer Lindell anchored the outfield in center and boasted a .389 average at the plate. First-year starting shortstop Corey VanDomelen held down one of the most important defensive positions and provided energy near the top of the order. Clayton Truex received honorable mention recognition on the all-conference team, but hit a hot streak in the postseason, batting .429 en route to all-tournament team honors in Appleton.

At the Austin Regional, Joe Stevick pitched five scoreless innings against sixth-ranked Trinity,and Hopp cashed in as an all-tournament selection with a 6-for-12 performance in a replacement starter role.

“You had guys that as the year went on, they did some of their best work when it counted the most,” Brosius said. “There was a real constant sense of what this team wanted to accomplish and how they competed, but they kept working at it and they improved along the way.”

This was a season Wildcat coaches, players and fans will not soon forget.

“It’s just been such a special year,” Brosius said. “When you’re going through it you realize that the team has the ability to finish like that. But when it actually happens, wow.”

ETHAN RHOADS | 0

5-11 | Sophomore | INF Seattle, Washington

MEET THE WILDCATS

jhett jacquot | 1

6-1 | Senior | INF/RHP Lincoln, Nebraska

GARRETT MOEN| 16

5-7 | Senior | OF Vancouver, Washington

braden woods | 17

5-9 | Freshman | OF McMinnville, Oregon

SKYLER MANELSKI | 29

6-2 | Senior | RHP Shoreline, Washington

john over| 18

6-2 | Sophomore | LHP Eugene, Oregon

jake hoskins | 5

5-1 | Junior | INF Hillsboro, Oregon

jackson horner| 8

5-11 | Senior | UT Kimberly, Idaho

spencer burgess | 44

6-2 | Sophomore | RHP West Seattle, Washington

jarrett allen | 30

5-8 | Junior | RHP Eugene, Oregon

austin hansen |20

6-0 | Sophomore | OF Plumas Lake, California

emerson dennis |22

6-3 | Freshman | RHP Happy Valley, Oregon

mason masterson|

GAME TIME

MARCH 31-APRIL 2, 2023

joel french | 33 6-10 | Junior | LHP Fallbrook, California

chase stephenson| 34 5-10 | Freshman | INF Ripon, California

aidan mccann| 35 6-3 | Junior | RHP Seattle, Washington

casey struckmeier | 48 6-1 | Freshman | RHP Vancouver, Washington

eric albios |51

5-9 | Freshman | C Vancouver, Washington

45 6-0 | Sophomore | UT Ridgefield, Washington

danny kahn | 2 6-0 | Junior | INF Seattle, Washington

jesse lopez | 4 5-5 | Freshman | INF La Habra, California

casen reed|31 6-0 | Freshman | LHP Vancouver, Washington

tyler marr| 46 6-2 | Sophomore | C Great Falls, Montana

nick alder| 47 5-9 | Sophomore | INF/RHP

cameron skinner | 21

6-0 | Senior | UT Murrieta, California

trent wainfeld| 59 5-10 | Freshman | OF Los Angeles, California

brian mannion | 54

6-3 | Freshman | RHP Beaverton, Oregon

brett joner | 55 5-6 | Junior | C Amboy, Washington

charles gargus| 99 6-7 | Sophomore | RHP Yakima, Washington

jackson bui| 60 5-9 | Freshman | OF Tigard, Oregon

MEET THE WILDCATS

LINFIELD WILDCATS

HEAD COACH: Dan Spencer (fourth year)

ASSISTANT COACHES: Jordan Harlow, Justin Salge, Carl Johnson, Joe Paterson, Larry Carlson

STUDENT MANAGERS: Raylynn Bucher, Brian Kice, Parker Wright, Colton Willbrandt

COLLEGE OF IDAHO YOTES

HEAD COACH: Shawn Humberg (22nd year)

ASSISTANT COACHES: Brian Schweiger, Nick Stelzner

HEAD COACH DAN SPENCER

Dan Spencer is in his fourth year of leading the Linfield baseball program. During his third season at the helm, he guided the Wildcats to a share of the Northwest Conference championship and a berth in the NWC Tournament.

Spencer became the first non-Linfield graduate to lead the program since 1949. He has strong ties to the Pacific Northwest and brings with him 28 years of coaching experience, including 22 at the Division I level with stops at Washington State, New Mexico, Oregon State and Texas Tech.

He coached at Washington State for three seasons, serving as the Cougars associate head coach, pitching coach and recruiting coordinator. Before WSU, Spencer was an assistant for three years at New Mexico (2013-15), where he helped the Lobos

reach the title game of the Mountain West Conference Tournament.

He spent a total of 11 years as a member of the Oregon State coaching staff, first as an assistant (1997-2003) and then as associate head coach under Pat Casey (2004-07). While in Corvallis, the Beavers won back-to-back national titles and appeared in three straight College World Series (2005-07). His pitching staffs led the Pac-10 in ERA during both 2005 and 2006 and in saves in 2006 and 2007. Spencer spent five seasons at Texas Tech, one as associate head coach and four more as head coach.

As a player, Spencer played three seasons as a catcher and third baseman at Texas Tech after beginning his collegiate career at Mira Costa College in Oceanside, California.

Joe Paterson Assistant Coach

Larry Carlson Assistant Coach kaho akau Sports Communications

jordan harlow

Associate Head Coach justin salge Assistant Coach

Carl Johnson Assistant Coach

raylynn bucher Student Operations Manager

brian kice Student Manager

colton willbrandt Student Manager

ROY HELSER FIELD

Roy Helser Field, together with Jim Wright Stadium, has developed from a belowaverage facility to a jewel among Northwest small colleges.

The facility has served as host of the 2009, 2010 and 2012 NCAA Division III regional playoffs and is again one of eight designated regional host sites in 2014.

One important addition was construction of a partially enclosed and fully covered batting practice structure, called “Carney’s Cages” in honor of longtime baseball coach Scott Carnahan. This spring, a project is underway to expand the batting cage space

to include an enclosed weight room.

A major change took place in 2008 when the grass infield was replaced with a FieldTurf artificial playing surface. Drainage was improved and construction of covered, enclosed batting cages on the venue site was undertaken. Prior to the 2013 season, the dirt pitching mound was also replaced with artificial turf to match the infield surface.

In 2000, outdoor lighting was added to the field. Musco lighting systems were installed in the fall of 2000 to give more flexibility in scheduling while enhancing the facilities and allowing for NCAA post-season

competition. Outdoor lighting provides additional opportunities for McMinnville-area youth teams during the summer.

Wright Stadium was added to Helser Field in 1990, replacing portable aluminum bleachers and a chainlink backstop.

On May 25, 1991, Linfield dedicated its newly completed baseball stadium at Roy Helser Field in honor of Jim Wright, his wife, Sondra, and parents Edith (Hall) Wright of McMinnville and the late Neale Wright, class of 1929. Jim Wright, a retired Portland businessman, provided a large portion of the funding for the new stadium.

Your

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THE RECORDS Linfield enters the week at 9-15 overall and 6-10 in Northwest Conference play. College of Idaho is 19-10 on the season with a 5-3 mark in the NAIA’s Cascade Collegiate Conference.

LINFIELD AT A GLANCE

The Wildcats opened the week on Wednesday with a trip to Pullman, Washington, to take on Division I Washington State, head coach Dan Spencer’s old stomping grounds. Brandon Pasion leads the team with a .326 batting average, a .442 on-base percentage, 20 runs and seven hit by pitches. Jake Hoskins and Nick Holm both notched their fourth home runs of the season against Lewis & Clark last week. Casey Struckmeier turned in the best outing of his young Linfield career against the Pioneers, allowing one run on three hits while striking out four in six innings pitched.

COLLEGE OF IDAHO AT A GLANCE

The Yotes sit in third place in the CCC standings and were among others receiving votes in last week’s NAIA national rankings. Jonah Hultberg is having a monster year at the plate, batting .478 with a .553 on-base percentage and a .739 slugging percentage. He has 55 hits, 41 runs and 40 RBI in 29 starts. Hultberg and Skyler Sadora lead the Yotes with four home runs apiece. Sadora has driven in 32 runs. Nick Eliason is 4-1 on the mound with 42 strikeouts in just under 31 innings pitched.

THE SERIES Linfield is 46-28 against College of Idaho in the all-time series that dates back to 1950. The Wildcats are 23-6 against the Yotes at home. The Yotes took all three games in 2022 in the first meetings between the two programs since 2004.

Please make it home safe today.

48 casey struckmeier

LINFIELD SPORTS NETWORK

can’t attend the game? catch the action on the lsn

The Linfield Sports Network continues to bring fans live action of all home Linfield baseball games in 2023. Fans can enjoy live video webcasts and play-by-play commentary on their computer, tablet, mobile device or Smart TV.

Live coverage begins 10 minutes prior to the start of each match. Broadcasts include a complete postgame wrap-up with analysis and statistical breakdown.

Linfield senior Jack Stallard begins his second season as the play-by-play voice of Wildcats baseball. Stallard, a current member of the Linfield men’s basketball team, will also mix-in as an occasional color commentator. Stallard started out in broadcasting for the LSN in 2021, calling play-by-play for baseball and softball.

Also contributing play-by-play is Isaac Milner, who began his broadcasting experience with the LSN by

calling soccer matches, providing color commentary on basketball broadcasts, handling occasional play-by-play duties for volleyball, basketball and softball as well as providing crucial production support on football, softball, tennis and swimming webcasts.

LSN live broadcasts are under the direction of the athletic department’s Broadcast Operations Coordinator, Joe Stuart. In his second year in the position, Stuart oversees all technical production and management of LSN broadcasts as well as providing play-by-play commentary on football, basketball, baseball and softball webcasting in addition to assisting with other athletics communications needs. All LSN broadcasts, both live and on demand, can be accessed at golinfieldwildcats.com/watch or in the Linfield Athletics app on mobile, tablet or smart TVs.

We are proud to serve as the team physicians for Linfield College, McMinnville High School and the See Ya Later Foundation.

jack stallard

From the weekend warrior to the elite athlete, we are ready to get you back in the game. We will work closely with you to help create a treatment plan geared to and focused on you.

2013 BASEBALL TEAM REUNION

Members of Linfield’s most recent national team championship will gather on the 10-year anniversary of their milestone season

Linfield is ready to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the 2013 NCAA Division III national championship baseball team on Saturday, April 1, at Roy Helser Field.

All players and coaches from the 2013 championship squad are invited to campus to attend the game and be recognized on the field prior to the first pitch. Players and coaches are asked to gather in the home bullpen no later than 1:30 p.m. on April 1. The Wildcats play a single game that afternoon versus the College of Idaho starting at 2.

Sue’s Steak Tacos food truck to be on site from noon until 4 p.m. and a beer garden will be set up nearby for alumni and their guests to enjoy.

Everyone is invited to help celebrate the 10-year anniversary of this milestone season.

THE TOPCAT CLUB

The Linfield University TopCat Club serves as a support organization to the 21 NCAA Division III varsity sports teams and the more than 500 students who participate in athletics each year. Each year, support from the TopCat Club is essential to maintaining and expanding each of these programs.

The mission of the TopCat Club is to provide students with an outstanding athletic and academic experience and to strengthen the overall competitiveness of the overall Linfield athletics program.

At Linfield, we continually strive to improve programs and facilities so that our teams may compete at the highest level. Roughly 75 percent of the athletic department’s annual operating budget comes from the university’s general fund. The remainder is generated through a wide variety of external sources, including annual gifts to the Linfield TopCat Club.

To learn more about giving opportunities, please visit the TopCat Club website at www.linfieldtopcat.com.

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The Linfield Athletics Hall of Fame, sponsored by Pacific Office Automation, was established in 1998 as an avenue to honor former outstanding athletes, coaches, staff and contributors and to preserve the memory of their past achievements.

A new class of inductees is honored at the Hall of Fame Banquet each fall. Inductees are chosen from a list of submitted nominations and voted upon by the Hall of Fame Executive and Selection Committees. The 20-member panel is made up of current and former staff members, past inductees, a member of the media, and a former athlete representing each of the preceding six decades.

Nominations may be submitted by any interested person but must be submitted using the online nomination form. Hall of Fame nominations are considered in any one of six categories: Athlete, Coach, Team, Athletics Staff, and Meritorious Service. The deadline to submit nominations each year is March 1.