LINFIELD UNIVERSITY BASEBALL VERSUS PACIFIC • MARCH 2-3, 2024

Feb.

Feb.

Feb.

March

March

April

April

April

April

April

April

Fox (2) Noon

May 4 Willamette (2) Noon

May 5 at Willamette (2) 11 a.m.

May 10-12

May 17-19

May 24-25

May 30-June 5

Feb. 10 Pacific Lutheran 1 p.m.

Feb. 23 Eastern Oregon 6 p.m.

March 8 Whitman 6 p.m.

March 10 Whitworth 1 p.m.

March 12 Illinois Wesleyan TBA

March 19 Willamette 5 p.m.

March 23 at Pacific 1 p.m.

April 3 at George Fox 5 p.m.

April 7 at Puget Sound 1 p.m.

April 10 at Lewis & Clark 7 p.m.

April

April

April

April

April 24 George Fox 6 p.m.

April 27 Puget Sound 1 p.m.

May 4-5 at NWC Tournament

Jan. 28 at Oregon TBA

10 at Lewis & Clark 11 a.m. Feb. 11 Puget Sound 10 a.m. Feb. 16 vs. Colorado College 10 a.m.

Feb. 18 Cal Lutheran 10 a.m. Feb. 25 British Columbia 10 a.m. March 2 Willamette 11 a.m. March 3 at George Fox 11 a.m.

March 9 Whitworth 11 a.m.

March 10 Whitman 11 a.m. March 25 at Biola 2 p.m. March 28 at Pt. Loma Nazarene 2 p.m. March 31 at Puget Sound 10 a.m. April 6 at Pacific 11 a.m.

13 Lewis & Clark 11 a.m. April 20-21 at NWC Championships

Jan. 21 vs. Portland State 10 a.m.

28 at Oregon (exhibition) TBA

Feb. 10 at Lewis & Clark 11 a.m.

Feb. 16 vs. Colorado College 2 p.m.

Feb. 18 Cal Lutheran 10 a.m.

Feb. 19 UC-Santa Cruz 10 a.m.

March 2 at Willamette 11 a.m.

March 3 George Fox 11 a.m.

March 9 at Whitworth 11 a.m.

March 10 at Whitman 11 a.m.

March 21 Wellesley 3 p.m.

March 27 at Occidental 4 p.m.

March 28 at Point Loma Nazarene 5 p.m.

March 31 Puget Sound 10 a.m.

April 6 Pacific 11 a.m.

April 13 at Lewis & Clark 11 a.m.

April 20-21 at NWC Championships TBA

WOMEN'S

WILDCAT SPOTLIGHT

a winner’s mentality

Coming off a major surgery to his pitching arm, John Over cast aside all hurdles on his way to a successful recovery

by KARLIE VERCAUTEREN ’27

John Over’s life has been shaped by the inspiring people in it. The Linfield University senior views himself as the culmination of everything he has ever been taught, and he strives to grow each day as a person who can have that same positive impact on others.

The son of a prominent prosthodontist who routinely performs life-altering medical procedures, Over has long valued giving to others. Dr. Larry Over also played a critical role in inspiring his son’s love of baseball and activity in general. The two would throw the ball around every chance they got and as he began to dedicate himself to the sport, John evolved into a talented left-handed pitcher.

By the time John was in high school, his skills caught the attention of Linfield head coach Dan Spencer. Despite Spencer’s efforts, Over initially planned to attend Everett Community College in Washington state to give himself more time to figure out his future. But a change in coaching staff there gave Spencer another opportunity to make Over a Wildcat by demonstrating the care and dedication so characteristic of Linfield Athletics.

Earlier that summer, Over had torn his UCL in a game, a nightmare situation for any pitcher. He pushed through the pain to throw four more pitches until he was forced to recognize he was in serious trouble. He learned he would need Tommy John surgery to reconstruct the ligament. The recovery time for this surgery was estimated at over a year, a devastating blow for Over.

Spencer was aware of the challenges Over was facing and made sure to show up for his potential future player.

“I wasn’t even committed to Linfield when I had the surgery. Two weeks after it, ‘Spence’ came down and had lunch at our house with me just to check in,” he says. “That was really just a true testament to his character.”

Alongside the external support he was receiving, Over was actively working on developing his mindset and sense of selfefficacy. He realized very quickly that he could either get stuck in the misery of his situation, “or I just need to get over it and figure out a plan of attack and what I can do every day to get back to as healthy as I can be as fast as possible.”

Clearly, Over chose the latter and threw himself into recovery, motivated by

his desire to return to the sport he loves so much. “It’s such a cliché, but you never realize how much you love something until it’s gone and something as simple as just not being able to throw a baseball was just so hard to deal with every day.” Over was fortunate enough to be connected with another mentor, Chandler Day, who pitched for Vanderbilt University and had undergone Tommy John surgery, giving him a role model to guide him for those times when he became discouraged.

Now that he has grown into playing such a fundamental leadership role at Linfield, Over is committed to helping fellow Wildcats navigate this challenging injury as well as the day-to-day struggles of college life. Teammate Jake Hoskins shares that “John is someone whom I met in high school and who has become a great friend of mine. Throughout the years, he has been someone I could depend on. He helped make my transition from junior college to Linfield very easy. John works his tail off every day and continues to be a valuable asset to our pitching staff.”

The example Over sets is proof of how much people can achieve through willpower and tenacity. “I have ‘Resilient’ stitched on my glove: it’s kind of my favorite word that I pick to describe myself. It’s like, you’re only as good as what you can come back from” he explains.

Given the grace with which he conducts himself on the diamond, it comes as no surprise that Over is an equally driven and exceptional student. He is majoring in biology with the hopes of attending medical school so that he can have the same impact as his father and his own surgeon.

“The drive to be a doctor didn’t really start until I had Tommy John surgery. Feeling whole again after the surgeon fixed me, truly getting a second chance at baseball, was such a powerful feeling. And, so, seeing my dad do that with so many people over the years and hearing it from them whenever they see him has been

Over has spent the past couple of summers shadowing orthopedic surgeon Dr. Brian Jewett and says he is continually amazed by how transformative the career is.

Seeing the patients’ joy postoperation makes academic struggles such as Organic Chemistry and being enrolled in three labs in the same semester well worth the sacrifice.

Although he is currently a senior, Over still has one year of baseball eligibility remaining as well as a couple more med school prerequisites. While he is not exactly sure what this upcoming year will hold for him, he knows he will navigate it with a motto adapted from the words of his grandfather and those of Coach Spencer: “If you won yesterday, great, get up, have a winner’s mentality, and go back to work.

2024 SEASON OUTLOOK

Wildcats coach Dan Spencer enters his fifth season with a retooled roster than includes 23 new faces

by kendrick murphy

The 2023 baseball season didn’t go the way the Linfield Wildcats would have hoped. Injuries and inconsistency led to a 13-24 record and an 8-16 mark in Northwest Conference play. The good news for this 2024 Linfield squad is all the opportunities are right in front of them. Dan Spencer enters his fifth season at the helm and is ready to guide a hungry retooled squad to compete.

“We have a deeper roster this year,” Spencer said. “We’re better positionally. The guys that had good solid years for us last year are back for the most part on offense. The pitching staff has a chance to be really good.”

Linfield returns Jake Hoskins, Tyler Marr and Casey Struckmeier who were all named Honorable Mention All-NWC after last season. The returning trio looks to help the Wildcats prove some doubters wrong after they were picked to finish sixth in the NWC after a preseason coaches poll.

Hoskins was one of two players who appeared in every game for Linfield, starting in 36 of the Wildcats’ 37 games. He batted .301

with 46 hits, a team-leading 28 runs, 22 RBI and tied for the team lead with six home runs.

Marr emerged as the No. 1 option behind home plate last season for the Wildcats. In 27 games, he batted .343 with a .411 on-base percentage totaled a .455 slugging percentage and added 11 doubles.

Struckmeier had a strong sophomore season, appearing in 10 games and starting in eight. He won two games on the mound to go with 25 strikeouts and a 3.32 ERA that ranked inside the top three in the NWC.

IN THE BATTER’S BOX

The Linfield offense returns some key bats in the lineup this season. Hoskins and Marr will be joined by the likes of Danny Kahn who was named Honorable Mention All-NWC in 2022 and hit over .300 in 25 games played. Nick Holm will also provide a steady back in the lineup, he led the ‘Cats with 33 RBIs and tied for the team lead in home runs.

New additions to the lineup this season will be Corban transfer Elijah Maris who’s already off to a strong start with five hits in three games. Along with Matthew Lewis who hit Linfield’s first home run of the season.

Nathan Kassler, Bodey Smith and Trent Wainfeld are a few

2024 SEASON OUTLOOK

names that will provide some depth for the Linfield offense.

“We’re really excited to play at home,” Spencer said. “We need to do a good job at home and create some momentum since we have the next three weekends here.”

ON THE MOUND

Struckmeier will be a key part of the 2024 rotation. Joining him will be some new faces, including Camden Oram and Jacob Swenson who both touched the rubber in the season-opening series down in California.

Coming out of the bullpen, Gavin Ludlow appeared in 16 games and finished second on the team in total strikeouts (24) while Jackson Koons (22) and John Over (21) finished third and fourth in total strikeouts. That trio will be reinforced by the likes of Brian Mannion, Nick Alder, Wyatt Hurley, Casen Reed and Logan Travis.

With so many arms returning and joining the staff this season. The focus for the Wildcats will be improving on a 6.63 team ERA that landed seventh in the conference last season and limiting free runners on base due to walks. Linfield gave up the fifth-most walks in the NWC last year.

11 jacob swenson

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.

HEAD COACH DAN SPENCER

Dan Spencer is in his fifth 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.

Hired in 2019, Spencer is just the sixth coach to lead the baseball program over the last 71 seasons. Since recording its first Northwest Conference baseball championship in 1923, Linfield has won three national championships (two as part of the NAIA and one in the NCAA), along with 41 additional conference titles.

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 Washington State, 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).

Spencer spent five seasons at Texas Tech, one as associate head coach and four more as head coach. He was the first Red Raiders head coach to win at least 25 games in each of his first four seasons and his teams defeated 32 nationally ranked opponents.

Spencer began his head coaching career at Green River Community College in Auburn, Wash., where he was the head coach from 1992-96. He also spent one season as an assistant at Tacoma Community College.

A native of Vancouver, Wash., Spencer completed his bachelor’s degree in history from Portland State University in 1990. He and his wife, Susie, have three children: Wade, 25, Logan, 22, and Elizabeth, 15.

Steve kovac | 0 6-0 | Sophomore | RHP Portland, Oregon

jackson Bui | 1 5-10 | Sophomore | OF Tigard, Oregon

jake hoskins | 5 5-11 | Senior | INF Hillsboro, Oregon

nate Kassler| 17 5-11 | Junior | C Olympia, Washington

Casen reed |20 6-1 | Sophomore | LHP Vancouver, Washington

Chase highberger | 29 5-10 | Sophomore | INF Sherwood, Oregon

jarrett allen | 30 5-8 | Senior | RHP Eugene, Oregon

luke porter | 33 6-1 | Freshman | 1B Paradise Valley, Arizona

Cosmo lange | 42

6-3 | Freshman | RHP/DH Boise, Idaho

braden woods | 16 5-9 | Sophomore | OF McMinnville, Oregon

john over| 18 6-3 | Senior | LHP Eugene, Oregon

matthew lewis| 8 5-10 | Junior | OF/P Black Diamond, Washington

aiden jackson |22 5-11 | Sophomore | INF Lakewood, Washington

chase stephenson| 35 5-10 | Sophomore | INF Ripon, California

andrew ahn| 34 5-10 | Freshman | OF Sammamish, Washington

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

Tyler Marr | 46 6-2 | Junior | C Great Falls, Montana

aj gaspar| 43 6-0 | Freshman | 1B Kent, Washington

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

marco santulli | 4 5-9 | Freshman | INF Bellevue, Washington

garret ringer|31 6-0 | Sophomore | OF Puyallup, Washington

Declan francis| 44 6-1 | Feshman | RHP/DH Lake Oswego, Oregon

Hunter klingelhoffer| 45 6-3 | Senior | OF

cage hardy | 21 6-0 | Grad. | C Gig Harbor, Washington

Charles gargus| 99 6-7 | Junior | RHP Yakima, Washington

dylan kleinschmidt | 57 6-0 | Junior | RHP Mount Angel, Oregon

Zack Hampson | 59 5-2 | Freshman | RHP Seattle, Washington

joel french Team Manager Yakima, Washington

brian kice Team Manager Mount Angel, Oregon

spencer burgess Team Manager Seattle, Washington

Jacob Swenson | 11 6-3 | Freshman | RHP Camas, Washington

bodey smith | 24 6-0 | Senior | OF Rochester, Washington

GAVIN LUDLOW | 9 6-1 | Senior | RHP Lake Tapps, Washington

elijah maris | 23 5-10 | Senior | INF Atlanta, Georgia

trent wainfeld | 10 5-10 | Sophomore | OF Los Angeles, California

nick holm | 25 5-10 | Sophomore | INF Happy Valley, Oregon

jackson koons | 15 5-11 | Junior | LHP Hillsboro, Oregon

Camden Oram | 12 6-3 | Junior | RHP/INF Tumwater, Washington

Emerson Dennis | 14 6-3 | Sophomore | RHP Happy Valley, Oregon

tanner kraushaar | 28 6-2 | Freshman | LHP Seaside, Oregon

jhett jacquot | 26 6-2 | Senior | INF/RHP Lincoln, Nebraska

Eic albios | 27 5-9 | Sophomore | C Vancouver, Washington

wyatt hurley | 37 6-2 | Sophomore | 1B/RHP Yamhill, Oregon

matthew tacheny | 36 6-3 | Feshman | RHP Happy Valley, Oregon

nick alder | 38 5-9 | Junior | INF/RHP Vancouver, Washington

ray pekarek | 41 5-11 | Freshman | OF Clovis, California

grant knox | 39 6-0 | Senior | RHP Fallbrook, California

logan travis | 40 6-2 | Senior | RHP Scappoose, Oregon

alex galvin | 51 6-4 | Junior | RHP West Seattle, Washington

kaden duchene | 50 6-3 | Freshman | OF Tigard, Oregon

joey genduso | 53 6-1 | Freshman | OF Hillsboro, Oregon

riggs towle | 58 6-0 | Junior | RHP Greeley, Colorado

brian mannion | 54 6-3 | Sophomore | RHP Beaverton, Oregon

Brett Joner | 55 5-6 | Senior | C Amboy, Washington

jordan harlow Assistant Coach

dan spencer Head Coach

Braden Wells Assistant Coach

larry carlson Assistant Coach

Carl Johnson Assistant Coach daniel turpen Assistant Coach

LINFIELD WILDCATS

HEAD COACH: Dan Spencer (fifth year)

ASSISTANT COACHES: Jordan Harlow, Braden Wells, Carl Johnson, Daniel Turpen, Larry Carlson

STUDENT MANAGERS: Brian Kice, Spencer Burgess, Joel French

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HEAD

ASSISTANT

LINFIELD VERSUS PACIFIC

Don’t Text and Drive

SERIES BREAKDOWN

Please make it home safe today. golinfieldwildcats.com

THE RECORDS

Linfield’s record moved to 3-4 overall after a 3-1 weekend against Division II opponents Central Washington and Saint Martin’s last week. The ‘Cats split the doubleheader with the visiting Wildcats before sweeping the Saints in a doubleheader behind with two walk-offs. This week, three-time defending NWC champion Pacific (5-1) visits Roy Helser Field for a three-game series.

LINFIELD AT A GLANCE

The Wildcats hit .284 as a team and hold a 5.34 ERA. Wyatt Hurley leads all qualified Linfield batters with a .450 average and tops the lineup in on-base percentage at .478. Elijah Maris leads the Wildcats in hits (11) and home runs (2). Camden Oram and Jacob Swenson are each coming off their best starts as Wildcats. Oram tossed a complete nine innings against Central Washington without giving up a run and striking out four batters. Swenson went six innings against Saint Martin’s and gave up only one earned run while striking out five batters. For their efforts, Oram and Maris were selected NWC Pitcher and Position Players of the Week, respectively.

PACIFIC AT A GLANCE

Pacific hits .318 as a team and holds a 3.76 ERA. Davis Koester leads qualified Boxers hitters with a .538 batting average while also leading the team in RBIs with nine. CJ Colyer leads Pacific in home runs with four. Shane Melrose leads the Boxers’ pitching staff with a 2.57 ERA and has only given up two earned runs on the season. Behind Melrose, is Will Clark who is second among qualified pitchers in ERA at 3.86 and has surrendered only three earned runs so far this season.

SERIES HISTORY

The Wildcats are 147-53 all-time against the Boxers. Linfield averages 6.48 runs per contest and holds a 77-21 home record against Pacific. The ‘Cats are 2-8 in the last 10 meetings and are looking to snap a five-game losing streak against the Boxers.

5 jake hoskins

LINFIELD SPORTS NETWORK

can’t make the game? catch the lsn video stream

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.

LSN broadcasts are under the direction of the athletic department’s Broadcast Operations Coordinator, Joe Stuart. In his third 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.

A trio of Linfield students will all contribute to the on-air production. Sophomore Brian Kice returns for his second year behind the microphone. He began as a baseball color commentator last spring and expanded his outreach to include volleyball play-by-play duties in the fall. Senior Connor Nelson, a former pitcher with the Linfield Wildcats, is in his first season as part of the baseball announcing crew. He also provided color commentary during the winter months calling Linfield baseball games. Sophomore Johnny Miller

Joe Stuart

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.

Brian Kice

johnny miller

Taste the bounty of the region in unexpected ways.

Now taking reservations for our new Seasons menu celebrating the micro-seasons from our farm. Also duck into our cozy Cellar Bar for farm-inspired cocktails, our six-course tasting menu or a la carte bites.

NORTHWEST CONFERENCE

baseball STANDINGS

Linfield’s Camden Oram and Elijah Maris sweep the NWC’s weekly baseball honors

Three Wildcats were selected to Northwest Conference weekly award honors following strong performances from Linfield baseball and lacrosse. Junior Camden Oram and senior Elijah Maris swept the NWC Baseball Pitcher and Position Student-Athlete of the Week awards while junior Mackenzie Kulick was awarded NWC Lacrosse Defensive Student-Athlete of the Week.

Oram pitched a complete game shutout on Feb. 23 in a 6-0 win over Division II Central Washington. He gave up only four hits, one walk and struck out four batters. The Tumwater, Wash., native earned his first win in a Linfield uniform and his 3.38 ERA ranks among the NWC leaders.

Maris totaled two hits, two runs, a double and an RBI against Central Washington on Feb. 23. On Feb. 24 against Saint Martins, Maris tallied five hits, four runs, three RBIs and two home runs, including a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth-inning to give Linfield the 3-2 victory in game one of the Sunday doubleheaders. The Atlanta, Ga., native ranks among the NWC leaders in batting average (.406) and total home runs (2).

Kulick led the Linfield defense in the Wildcats’ 24-1 season-opening win against Eastern Oregon. She added three goals on three shots and won eight draw controls. Linfield’s 24 goals is the third-highest scoring total in program history. The Woodlands, Texas, native ranks second in the NWC in caused turnovers (2) and draw controls (8).

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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 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.

PROUD PARTNER OF LINFIELD ATHLETICS

LINFIELD MARCHING BAND

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