WELCOME TO LINFIELD UNIVERSITY
TODAY’S MATCHUP: WHITMAN 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
the best version of himself
Whether it’s in the classroom or on the baseball diamond, Luke Porter is always looking to improve and put in more effort
by zack parsons ’29
The speeding baseball connects to his bat and for a split second, it could go anywhere, before it flies off into the distance further than any outfielder could catch.
Who is the big time hitter who just launched that ball into the atmosphere? It’s Luke Porter, a junior business management student at Linfield University, who also plays first base. His efforts and performance have continued and they’re nothing to scoff at.
His stats are only a part of his sports life. Deep down, he considers sports as a part of his development, saying “Sports have taught me how to be human. I’ve dealt with success and struggle. When I have success, I can’t get too high. When I fail, I can’t get too low. This has taught me to be level-headed.”
Baseball, Porter says, is very valuable to teaching life skills.
“I’ve been able to become family with a lot of my fellow teammates.”
So much time goes into the sport; every practice is an opportunity to demonstrate the dedication of teammates and himself. Trust is made and bonds are created.
“One thing I learned,” he says, “is to lean on my teammates for support. They are always there for me.”
Porter sees his brother, James, as a big role model, too.
“My brother has been a role model in my life, especially in baseball. We grew up playing baseball together and he has taught me a lot of life lessons along the way that are fully involved with baseball.”
Porter has had the support James helping him through life and baseball.
“He has taught me to follow Christ and to try to do the right thing no matter the consequences.” His values shine on and off the field.
When Luke Porter isn’t getting runners out, he’s focused on his schoolwork and future degree in management.
“I’ll hopefully work for an importing company and work in the sales and management department.”
Prior to graduation next spring, he’s gaining first-hand knowledge of the business, saying, “I’ve done a few summer jobs through the company I will work for in processing, shipping and handling.”
Porter believes Linfield is a “close-knit community,” noting that the professors on campus are very helpful,
“They are great, especially with small class sizes. They can really connect with students and help us on every assignment or project we receive.”
He says his favorite class has been Business Law “because of Professor Denise Farag. She not only taught the class, but she made it enjoyable. She made it important through real-life examples.”
Porter considers the ways in which college life at Linfield has guided him.
“Linfield has taught me how to work on time management. Linfield has helped me balance my social, academic and sports life that will aid me in my future career.”
Developing traits such as those lead to opportunities for many people. Porter shows a lot of potential, managing his school assignments, baseball obligations and a social life.
Being an active student “has taught me to be self-sufficient,” he says. “I have had to learn to do simple things on my own that I would not usually have to do. I can’t slack off in class or with homework because then I won’t be able to play my favorite sport.”
Always looking for ways to be better and put in more effort, Porter says “I strive to be the best version of myself. As a team, I want us to win, plain and simple.”
His individual goals are to improve as well as elevate his team at the same time. Baseball is a testament to lots of attempts.
“I have learned that there is success in failure.”
To get better, there must be many attempts. With the rest of the season on its way, Porter will be putting in the work, and he’ll have many chances to prove himself again. When the ball is in frame, count on Porter to send it all the way home.
OUTLAST OUTLIVE
We’re tough where it counts. From dominating wild trails to maneuvering rushing streams, roaming vast canyons and tackling remote peaks, our trucks prove their rugged capability over and over.
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
WHITMAN BLUES
/ El Rancho
25 Jonah Chang INF R/R 5-10
So./So. Victoria, B.C. / Lambrick Park Seconday 26 Oliver Brown RHP/INF R/R 6-0
Coddington RHP
Sr./Jr. Anchorage, Alaska / Holy Cross
Novato, Calif. / Marin Catholic
Walla Walla, Wash. / Walla Walla
Rolling Meadows, Ill. / Rolling Meadows
LINFIELD VERSUS WHITMAN
SERIES BREAKDOWN
THE RECORDS
Linfield enters the series at 18-12 overall, with a 10-5 record in the NWC. The Wildcats have lost just one NWC series this spring, that coming on the road last weekend at league-leading Whitworth. Whitman enters the weekend riding a four-game win streak. The Blues own a 10-19-1 record and are 5-10 in the NWC. Whitman is coming off its first NWC series win, sweeping Willamette last weekend in Walla Walla.
LINFIELD AT A GLANCE
The Linfield offense aims to bounce back from last weekend’s series sweep by the Pirates in Spokane. The Wildcats fell back to second place in the NWC standings and now trail Whit-worth by two games with three series to play. Center fielder Rylan Gullard paces Linfield in hits, while left fielder Jaxson Kister leads the team in doubles and runs batted in. Pitcher Matthew Tacheny leads the NWC in earned run average (3.93), bolstered by a strong bullpen that continues to shut down opponents late in games. Closer Zack Hampson is leads the NWC in wins (6) and is second in saves (4).
WHITMAN AT A GLANCE
The Blues look to continue their momentum in McMinnville this weekend. In its two prior series, Whitman was swept by Pacific and Lewis & Clark, both on the road, helping explain the Blues’ 4-14-1 record away from Walla Walla. The offense has carried Whitman this sea-son with Nate Petz ranking among the NWC’s best in batting average, slugging percentage, hits, and OPS. Halen Otte boasts the third-most RBIs in the NWC with 32 and Nick Teng has hit 10 doubles, equaling the third-most in the NWC this spring.
SERIES HISTORY
The Wildcats are 154-33 all-time against the Blues. That includes last season’s series sweep in Walla Walla, where Linfield outscored Whitman 44-21. The last series between these two teams in McMinnville went Whitman’s way, taking games one and three for the series win.
9 colton ouellette
THE NORTHWEST CONFERENCE
Will Shelor (Pacific) .411 124 28
Nate
(Whitman)
Bret Potter (Lewis & Clark) .395
Miles Bergman (Pacific)
Hunter Nishina (Pacific)
Trevor Kazahaya (Pacific)
Charlie Deggeller (Puget Sound) 361 97 24 35 20
Cooper Allen (Puget Sound) .361 72 19 26 25
Kyle Memarian (Whitworth)
Austin
Kellen
(Whitworth)
(Puget
Nick Teng (Whitman) .337
PITCHING
baseball STANDINGS
Cooper Allen (Puget Sound)
5 rylan gullard
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
Three Linfield Wildcats are among 118 student-athletes from across the country named recently to the 2026 NFCA Division III Softball Pitcher and Player of the Year Watch List.
The list is separated into the 10 regions and is compiled by members of the NFCA Division III All-America Committee with one head coach representing each of the 10 NCAA regions.
Representing Linfield on the list are catcher Ashlyn Aven, pitcher Tyler McNeley and out-fielder Meara Sain.
Seventeen returning NFCA All-Americans highlight the list, including four from the first team, five from the second team, and eight from the third. Both Trine’s Debbie Hill and Williams’ Sadie Leonard are three-time All-America honorees, while four others on the list — Bowdoin’s Anika Ewert, Trine’s Tyra Marcum, Simpson’s Ashlyn Steen and Makayla Steffes of Saint Mary’s — are two-time All-Americans. Last year’s NFCA Freshman of the Year, Lilly Goldberg of Swarthmore, is also on the list. Aven is a 2025 second team All-American while McNealy was a third team All-American in 2024 as well as being named 2024 NFCA Freshman of the Year.
The 2026 NFCA Player and NFCA/Portolite Pitcher of the Year winners will be announced on May 27 prior to the start of the NCAA Division III World Series.
Student-athletes do not have to be on this watch list to be considered for end-of-season awards, which will be voted on by the members of the NFCA Division III All-America Committee.
Senior Ashlyn Aven is joined by juniors Tyler McNeley and Meara Sain as 2026 NFCA Players to Watch
ashlyn aven
“In my practice, I partner with patients to design the best treatment options for them and their goals.”
Derek Rains, MD Orthopedic Surgeon
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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
