WELCOME TO LINFIELD UNIVERSITY
TODAY’S MATCHUP: PACIFIC LUTHERAN AT LINFIELD
game operations | event staff
EVENT MANAGER
Casey Powell
COMMUNICATIONS
Chase Fisk, Joe Stuart, Kelly Bird
STATISTICS
Joe Miglioretto
PUBLIC ADDRESS
Ericson Teller
VIDEO WEBCASTS
Joe Stuart, Brian Kice, Maddie Funk, Eric Albios, Jackson Bluhm, Ethan Klein
GAME PROGRAM
Kelly Bird, Chase Fisk, Felipe Unker
WILDCAT SPOTLIGHT
a guiding force
Having navigated injuries, two transfers and personal challenges, third-generation Wildcat Cole Hubka is a model of determination
by natasha freimuth ’28
Baseball has always been more than a game for Linfield University junior Cole Hubka. It is a family legacy.
Growing up in a household steeped in sports, Hubka’s journey began almost as soon as he could walk.
“I’ve been playing basically my whole life,” he says. “My dad played baseball, so I was just around the game. I started T-ball when I was really young, just picking up a bat like my brother.”
From those early days, it was clear that baseball would be a constant in Hubka’s life, guiding him through both triumphs and challenges.
Hubka’s path to becoming the starting shortstop at Linfield was anything but a perfectly straight line. Beginning his college career at the University of Utah, he spent two years in Salt Lake City before transferring to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
“I had a couple injuries along the way, so it was kind of bouncing back and trying to find the right fit,” Hubka says, retracing his unconventional route to Linfield. “I wanted to go somewhere I could compete at a high level and with a winning tradition. Even after transferring, I still wanted to prove myself and keep playing.”
This persistence and determination are emblematic of Hubka’s approach, both on and off the field. His experiences at multiple programs taught him resilience and the importance of confidence.
“One valuable thing I learned is to stay confident, both in your game and in yourself, especially when transferring and meeting new people,” he says. That confidence has served him well, particularly as he steps into a leadership role on the team.
Being a third-generation Wildcat adds an extra layer of pride and motivation for Hubka. His family ties to Linfield run deep, with both his father, Ryan, a former Wildcat second baseman, and grandfather, Alan, an ex-Linfield football quarterback, having donned the school’s colors.
“Being a third-generation Wildcat is really cool,” he says. “It’s great to play close to home. With my dad and grandpa having gone here, it feels special. People come up to you and it’s like, ‘You’re Hubka’s son, right?’ which is a really cool experience.”
working to find his footing. At Linfield, he is embracing the opportunity to lead.
“At the other schools, I was just a player, but here I get to be a leader in the infield,” he says. “Starting shortstop, I have guys who look up to me, and that’s kind of an interesting change.”
His leadership extends beyond game play. Hubka sets an example through work ethic, consistency and a focus on team chemistry.
The preseason was a particularly meaningful milestone for Hubka. “This was the first fall I’ve been fully healthy, so it felt good to get out there with the guys,” he says.
Returning to full health allowed him to reestablish himself physically and mentally, giving him confidence as the team entered the spring season. Preseason success and camaraderie have also created memorable moments.
Hubka fondly recalls a team trip to California, where they faced a ranked opponent. “Our trip to La Verne was so much fun, getting a ranked team to start the year and winning two of the four games was awesome,” he says.
That sense of tradition and community has helped him feel a sense of belonging quickly, making the transition to his new team much smoother. “Transferring onto this team felt natural because I’d done it before and knew some of the guys coming in.”
On the field, Hubka’s role has expanded significantly since arriving. At previous schools, he was just another role player
Beyond athletics, Hubka thrives in the classroom. He has enjoyed taking more in-person classes and learning from teachers who engage with students directly.
“I’m excited to take more in-person classes,” he says with a smile. “Teachers are just so much more hands-on here.”
His favorite class has been Economics with professor Bronwyn Graves.
“She’s just a great teacher,” Hubka says, demonstrating his commitment to growth extends beyond baseball.
Hubka’s journey has also been marked by personal challenges, the most significant of which came during his freshman year when he underwent a kidney transplant.
“Personally, I’m proud of coming back from a kidney transplant and still competing at a high level,” he says.
Overcoming such an obstacle has not only shaped Hubka as an athlete but also as a person, reinforcing the resilience and determination that have defined his collegiate career.
Away from baseball, Hubka enjoys spending time with friends, balancing the demands of school and athletics with moments of relaxation and connection.
He credits much of his guidance to his parents and high school coach, Bryn Card, who now serves as one of Linfield’s assistant coaches.
Cole Hubka’s story is one of perseverance, legacy, and leadership. From picking up a bat as a toddler to becoming a guiding force for his team, he’s navigated injuries, transfers and personal challenges with poise and determination. Playing close to home has allowed him to honor his family’s legacy while creating his own.
OUTLAST OUTLIVE
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ROY HELSER FIELD
Roy Helser Field, together with Jim Wright Stadium, has developed from a belowaverage facility to a jewel among Northwest small colleges.
First put into use in 1970, the facility has served as designated host of the 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2014 NCAA Division III regional playoffs.
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. In 2024, a project was completed that added a dedicated baseball
weight room adjoining the batting cages.
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.
BASEBALL WEIGHT ROOM
After years of competing for workout space with other athletic teams and the general student population inside the HHPA Complex, the Linfield baseball program now enjoys its own weight training space at Roy Helser Field. Contributions directed to the baseball program through the TopCat Club provided the needed funding for an extension onto the batting cages structure.
The location of the baseball-only weight facility allows for greater efficiency during practices and hitting times, as players can rotate
times in the batting cages, weight room, clubhouse and on the field surface. The indoor space can also be used for team meetings.
The structure includes rubberized flooring, ample lighting and a large garage-style door opening to right field to allow fresh air inside. The weight training equipment, including squat racks, barbells and dumbbells, was also donated.
One bonus benefit of the new addition is a concrete patio facing the field, providing a potential space for alumni gatherings during home games.
HEAD COACH JORDAN HARLOW
with a nod to the past, new coach eyes the
future
The hiring of Jordan Harlow as head coach signals a return to the championship roots of the region’s top baseball program
Jordan Harlow is in his first year as head baseball coach at Linfield after nine seasons as either assistant coach or associate head coach.
He served under three previous Wildcat head coaches –Dan Spencer, Scott Carnahan and Stan Manley – and helped bring home two Northwest Conference championship baseball trophies back to McMinnville in 2017 and 2022.
The starting third baseman on Linfield’s 2013 national championship baseball team, Harlow was a three-year varsity letterman and a first team all-Northwest Conference performer. As a player, he was a member of the 2011 and 2013 NWC title-winning clubs, which went on to post a combined record of 10-4 in NCAA postseason contests.
Harlow graduated from Linfield with a bachelor’s degree in English in 2013 and went on to receive a master’s in coaching and athletic administration from Concordia University-Irvine.
He previously coached baseball and taught classes at McMinnville High School from 2014 until 2016, leading that program to a pair of Class 6A state quarterfinals appearances and one Oregon Class 6A state semifinals appearance. He guided the Grizzlies to the Greater Valley Conference championship in 2015 and was honored as the Pacific Conference Coach of the Year.
Jordan and his wife, Brynna (Fuller), a former women’s basketball student-athlete, reside in McMinnville with their son, Dane, and daughter, Jensen.
MEET THE WILDCATS
KEEGAN WESTON | 0
5-7 | Graduate Student | C Walla Walla, Washington
jackson Bui | 1 5-10 | Junior | OF Tigard, Oregon
rylan gulard | 5 6-0 | Sophomore | OF Renton, Washington
matthew tacheny | 17 6-3 | Junior | RHP Happy Valley, Oregon
j.r. starr | 20 6-0 | Sophomore | OF Hermiston, Oregon
riggs towle | 29
6-0 | Sophomore | RHP Greeley, Colorado
luke schoeffler | 31 6-2 | Freshman | RHP Corvallis, Oregon
johnny ingalls | 35 6-2 | Freshman | RHP Portland, Oregon
casey struckmeier | 48
6-1 | Graduate Student | RHP Vancouver, Washington
jacob bishop | 16
5-10 | Freshman | LHP West Linn, Oregon
tyler eisenhut | 18 5-11 | Junior | INF West Seattle, Washington
josh mansur | 8 6-2 | Senior | UTIL Camas, Washington
caiden gould | 22 6-3 | Sophomore | C Eugene, Oregon
wyatt hurley | 37 6-2 | Senior | UTIL Yamhill, Oregon
spencer kowalski | 36 6-3 | Junior | C Salem, Oregon
Andrew miller | 99 5-10 | Sophomore | RHP Camas, Washington
austin gonia | 59
6-2 | Freshman | C/OF Tenino, Washington
cosmo lange | 49 6-3 | Junior | RHP Boise, Idaho
emerson dennis | 2 6-3 | Junior | RHP Happy Valley, Oregon
Wyatt mcclory | 4 5-9 | Sophomore | INF Carlsbad, California
luke porter | 33 6-2 | Junior | INF Paradise Valley, Arizona
jasper mayden | 51 6-4 | Freshman | INF Kent, Washington
brian mannion | 54 6-2 | Senior | RHP Beaverton, Oregon
garret ringer| 21 6-0 | Senior | OF Puyallup, Washington
cole hubka | 11 5-11 | Junior | INF Wilsonville, Oregon
zach jaeger | 24 5-9 | Sophomore | UTIL Tigard, Oregon
colton ouellette | 9
6-2 | Sophomore | RHP Reno, Nevada
cole snidow |23
6-3 | Junior | C Portland, Oregon
trent wainfeld | 10
| Senior | OF Los Angeles, California
nick holm | 25
Junior
INF Happy Valley, Oregon
jaxson kister | 15
6-0 | Junior | OF Junction City, Oregon
carter studer | 12
6-2 | Sophomore | RHP Elma, Washington
colin moore | 13 6-3 | Freshman | RHP Altadena, California
jack williams | 28
6-3 | Freshman | RHP Camas, Washington
noah hancock | 26 6-1 | Freshman | INF Salem, Oregon
ely kennel | 27 5-10 | Senior | INF Monmouth, Oregon
zack hampson | 40
6-2 | Junior | RHP Seattle, Washington
liam smaciarz | 38
6-1 | Freshman | RHP Lebam, Washington
emmett stein | 42 5-9 | Freshman | INF Vancouver, Washington
CLAY PECORE | 46 5-10 | Freshman | INF Seattle, Washington
garrett hames | 43 6-4 | Senior | RHP Virginia City, Nevada
jevin patterson | 44 5-10 | Junior | INF Lakewood, Washington
LINFIELD WILDCATS
Portland, Ore. / Phoenix College
/ Clackamas
Wash. / Seton Catholic
Greeley, Colo. / University
Corvallis, Ore. / Crescent Valley
Paradise Valley, Ariz. / IMG
Salem, Ore. / Centralia College
Yamhill, Ore. / Yamhill-Carlton
Lebam, Wash. / Willapa Valley
PACIFIC LUTHERAN LUTES
LINFIELD VERSUS PACIFIC LUTHERAN
SERIES BREAKDOWN
THE RECORDS
The Wildcats enter the week with a 15-8 overall record and a 7-2 mark against NWC opponents. Linfield sits in second place behind league leader Whitworth. The Lutes’ recent sweep of Willamette propelled them into fourth place in the standings with a 7-5 a conference record. PLU is 9-9 overall.
LINFIELD AT A GLANCE
Linfield enters the week coming off of a pair of non-conference series’ against No. 1-ranked Denison (Ohio) and LeTourneau (Texas) at home over the past two weeks. The ’Cats won three of four games from LeTourneau and narrowly lost in each game to the top-ranked Big Red during Spring Break. The Wildcat pitching staff ranks No. 1 in the NWC with a 4.72 ERA, holding opposing batters to a .279 average, in large part to starter Matthew Tacheny and relievers Zack Hampson and Colton Ouellette. Hampson ranks among the top-five in Division III with a 5-0 record while adding three saves to his resume. At the plate, left fielder Jaxson Kister enters with the most doubles in the conference (9). Kister (21) and Wyatt McClory (22) rank in the top-five in the league in runs batted in.
PACIFIC LUTHERAN AT A GLANCE
The Lutes begin the road trip having won four of their last five, including taking all three NWC games from Willamette at home last weekend. Starters Matthew Sherwood and Alex Lopez are in line to make their seventh starts of the season this weekend. Sherwood enters with a 3-2 record and 3.86 ERA, ranking No. 5 in the NWC. At the plate, Kyle Tat (.356) and Ethan Keintz (.343) lead the Lutes offensively. Rutger Youch ranks third in the NWC in doubles with nine and Keintz is fifth with eight. Third baseman Carson Burke has the fourth-most homers in the league (5), batting .311 this season with 16 strikeouts.
SERIES HISTORY
Linfield has won five of the last seven prior meetings with PLU, and own a dominating 120-64 record all-time. PLU most recent meeting a season ago, scoring two runs on the eighth to take down the ’Cats in Tacoma, 7-6.
28 JACK WILLIAMS
THE NORTHWEST CONFERENCE
HITTING
Will Shelor (Pacific) .448 96 21 43 17
Bret Potter (L&C) .387 93 22 36 16
Kyle Memarian (Whitworth) .381 97 37 37 19
Gavin Mangano (L&C) .378 74 16 28 12
Will Michelman (L&C) .377 61 8 23 18
Carter Stoltz (Willamette) .371 70 12 26 17
Charlie Deggeller (UPS) .370 73 16 27 17
Jason Smith (Willamette) .366 41 6 15 11
Hunter Nishina (Pacific) .365 74 15 27 13
Nate Petz (Whitman) .360 86 18 31 14
Carson Coffield (Whitworth) .357 84 25 30 31
Kyle Tat (PLU) .356 59 14 21 14
Kellen Krebs (Puget Sound) .353 68 20 24 14
Ethan Keintz (PLU) .343 70 15 24 12
Caleb Gray (Whitworth) .340 94 28 32 24
PITCHING
Osei
baseball STANDINGS
As of April 1
Matt Churchill (UPS) 93 86 7 0 1.000
Holm, Nick (Linfield)
KEEPING TABS ON THE
All Linfield Sports Network webcasts are now carried on FloSports, a conference-wide pay-to-watch platform
Linfield University has joined together with its eight fellow Northwest Conference institutions in support of a new partnership with streaming provider FloSports to offer live and on-demand video coverage of nearly every athletic event Linfield participates in Schools are expected to receive annual investments from FloSports to build and expand broadcast capabilities and make other investments within the athletic department. Linfield personnel will continue to staff and operate all home broadcasts.
FloSports subscribers will have the capability to access more than 40,000 events nationwide spanning 25 different sports.
FloSports expects to deliver live and on-demand coverage of Linfield events across 15 different sports: Football, volleyball, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s wrestling, men’s and women’s swimming, men’s and women’s tennis, baseball, softball, and women’s lacrosse. Northwest Conference Championship events in all sports except golf and cross country will also be streamed as part of the annual agreement.
Beyond live competition, FloSports plans to invest in original content and storytelling initiatives online and across social media aimed at elevating the profile of NWC student-athletes and institutions. The NWC joins several of its regular non-conference opponents in partnering with FloSports, the industry leader and primary media rights partner for Division III conferences.
Each year, FloSports will provide a global platform to live stream over 800 regular-season and postseason events and is available via web, mobile apps (iOS and Android), and streaming platforms including Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV. The FloSports app is expected to be pre-installed on most top-selling Smart TVs in the U.S.
WATCHING flosports MADE EASY
To establish a FloSports account, head to go.flocollege.com/partner/nwc
$107.88 ANNUALLY
$19.99 MONTHLY
LINFIELD SPORTS NETWORK
The Linfield Sports Network will again bring fans live action of all home Linfield baseball games during the 2026 season. Fans can enjoy live video webcasts with play-by-play commentary on their computer, tablet, mobile device or smart TV.
McMinnville native Joe Stuart, a 2020 Linfield graduate, is the Athletics Broadcast Operations Coordinator, managing all aspects of Linfield’s webcasting outreach and handling lead play-by-play duties on Linfield football, baseball and softball webcasts in addition to basketball. Stuart assists with other external sports communications and social media needs.
Five Linfield students will contribute their talents to the baseball broadcast as well. Senior Brian Kice returns to share play-by-play duties with Stuart this spring for a second season. A native of Santa Fe, New Mexico, Kice spent last summer working with the broadcast media staff of the Knoxville (Tenn.) Smokies baseball team. Linfield sophomore Maddie Funk, a member of the women’s soccer team, will contribute color commentary this spring. Eric Albios will serve as video director while Ethan Klein and Jackson Bluhm, a men’s basketball player, will operate cameras.
A Heritage of Confident Service
Macy & Son is in the business of helping people and meeting the individual needs of McMinnville area families for five generations.
All LSN broadcasts, both live and on demand, can be accessed at golinfieldwildcats.com/watch or from within the Linfield Athletics app on mobile, tablet or smart TVs.
ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME
The Linfield Athletics Hall of Fame, sponsored by Pacific Office Automation, was established in 1998 as an avenue to honor former 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 must be submitted in writing using an official nomination form. Hall of Fame nominations are considered in any one of six categories: Athlete, Coach, Team, Athletics Staff, and Meritorious Service.
LINFIELD SEASON-BY-SEASON
Ad Rutschman 21-14 1st
Ad Rutschman 15-11 3rd
Ad Rutschman 16-13 4th
Ad Rutschman 17-18 1st (tie)
Ad Rutschman 18-18 2nd
Ad Rutschman 12-18 4th 1982 Ad Rutschman 16-17 1st 1983 Ad Rutschman 18-15 2nd 1984 Scott Carnahan 16-15 2nd 12-6 1985 Scott Carnahan 16-22 1st 11-4 1986 Scott Carnahan 13-22 2nd 12-4
1987 Scott Carnahan 17-23 2nd 10-4 1988 Scott Carnahan 26-16 1st 12-4 1989 Scott Carnahan 30-14 1st 15-3 1990 Scott Carnahan 26-17 3rd 12-6 1991 Scott Carnahan 19-19 2nd 13-5 1992 Scott Carnahan 24-14
RECENT HONORS
Softball outfielder Meara Sain earns her first Northwest Conference Student-Athlete of the Week honor meara sain
Linfield’s Meara Sain continued to crush the ball during a recent four-game series sweep at NWC-rival Whitworth, earning her first Northwest Conference Student-Athlete of Week honor.
The Eugene, Oregon, native hit .615 (8-for-13) at the plate, with eight doubles and a pair of home runs while driving in a team-high nine runs. Linfield’s bats cruised past Whitworth, ending three of the four games early via the eight-run rule. Sain slugged 1.462 in the four games, walking once and striking out just once in her 13 at bats. Through 24 games, Sain leads the NWC with a .524 average and a .596 on-base percentage. The junior also tops NWC statistics with 42 hits, 34 runs and 15 doubles.
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In NCAA Division III statistics, she ranks third in doubles, ninth in hits, 17th in RBI (33) and 19th in batting average. A 2025 first team all-NWC honoree, Sain is the daughter of Erin Moser and Dustin Sain. She is currently majoring in exercise science.
PROUD PARTNER OF LINFIELD ATHLETICS
IN THE NEWS
Competing in a national competition, Linfield’s cheer team returns
Linfield cheer competed recently at the 2026 USA Spirit Nationals & Collegiate Championships, bringing home a pair of fifth-place trophies in two categories.
“Having the opportunity to come to Anaheim for USA nationals, was one of a kind and something we will all cherish forever,” said freshman Taylor Mason following the competition.
In the Game Day Fight Song College Finals category, the Wildcats placed tenth with an event score of 87.4.
Linfield earned its first trophy in the Game Day Situational Sideline/Cheer College Finals, totaling an impressive 94.8 event score. The ‘Cats finished fifth out of 12 teams in the category.
“It’s always so rewarding to represent Linfield in a positive light, but there was something special about doing it at USA Nationals 2026,” said senior captain Miki Dunham on the opportunity to compete at the national level.
In the finals for the 4-Year Game Day Band Chant, Linfield took home another fifth-place trophy, racking up a 91.3 event score.
“As a team we were determined to bring hardware back to McMinnville,” said Dunham. “We were disciplined and driven to meet our goal. I’m so proud that we have not just met our goal we exceeded it by bringing 2 trophies back to Mac! Being a part of this team the last four years has helped me grow as a person and as an athlete, I am so lucky to have been surrounded by such amazing teammates pushing me to my best every single day.”
“In my practice, I partner with patients to design the best treatment options for them and their goals.”
Derek Rains, MD Orthopedic Surgeon
LiveLiFeHealthiest
LiveLiFe
Scan the QR code to learn more about his story.
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
