LINFIELD UNIVERSITY SOFTBALL VERSUS PACIFIC LUTHERAN • APRIL 1-2, 2023

WELCOME TO LINFIELD UNIVERSITY

TODAY’S MATCHUP: PACIFIC LUTHERAN AT LINFIELD

game operations | event staff

ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

Dr. Garry Killgore

EVENT MANAGER

Doug Hire

COMMUNICATIONS

Kaho Akau, Joe Stuart, Kelly Bird

STATISTICS

Marissa Dolson

PUBLIC ADDRESS AND SCOREBOARD

Steve Oleson

VIDEO WEBCASTS

Joe Stuart, Eric Albios

VIDEO CAMERA

Emma Mulligan

GAME PROGRAM

Kelly Bird, Felip Unker, Kaho Akau

WILDCAT SPOTLIGHT

rolling with the changes

by marissa dolson ’24

Being part of one of the best NCAA Division III softball programs in the nation has made senior softball player

Jordan Bennett rethink her role as a teammate. Bennett has navigated more than her share of adversity over the last three years of her career at Linfield University.

After COVID-19 canceled her freshman season, Bennett remembers she “will never forget the heartbreak of only getting to play 14 games and being so excited to see what our team could do. Then hearing at practice that we are postponed indefinitely. Coming back for my sophomore season, I will never forget the joy and love for softball I had just to be able to play again after being forced by the pandemic to stop.”

Then Bennett’s junior season arrived, the point in time when she began rethinking her role on the softball team.

“My junior year was a bit of a rollercoaster in finding my role. In my freshman year, I got to start (as a pitcher). My sophomore year, I was in a relief role in nearly every game. Come my junior year, I had one appearance and couldn’t record a single out. Having been playing for so long, I knew that my role was not to be playing, but rather being the best teammate I could be in supporting those who were.”

The transition didn’t stopp Bennett from continuing her strong work ethic.

“I would be ready (to pitch) if called upon, but if not, my main priority is to be the best teammate and leader in my senior season,” Bennett says. “I want to be able to show the underclassmen the traditions and greatness that make ‘Catball’ what it has been for so many years.”

Her love for the game of softball and sports will be carried with her for years to come. With her last softball season underway and the weeks of classes counting down, Bennett is finalizing requirements to complete her degree in exercise science and has several career goals in mind.

“After graduating, I’m most likely going to pursue a career in coaching or become a strength and performance trainer,” she says. “These past two summers, I have done two different internships in my home state of California with Kinetic Performance

Institute in Morgan Hill as well as Sensory Speed in Campbell. Both internships allowed me to work with athletes of all ages from elementary school to the college level.”

The broad opportunities of classes that Linfield offers have allowed Bennett to narrow down her intended career path. Three years ago, she was keen on pursuing a career in physical therapy. As time progressed, her heart led her in a slightly different direction.

“Being at Linfield has allowed me to take a variety of classes in the exercise science field. Through these experiences, I’ve been able to better pinpoint what I am passionate about,” Bennett says. “After taking some classes and learning more through internships, I realized I didn’t want to work on individuals getting back to being healthy. Rather, I realized I wanted to help people reach their full potential in their physical fitness.”

Back home in San Jose, California, Jordan’s parents, Darren and Kelly, are her greatest role models.

“My parents’ willingness to work hard in anything they do and do it with such care and kindness has created such a great example for not only myself but my sister, Taylor as well,” she says. “I’ve always looked up to my parents for guidance on how to interact with the world.”

With the season at its midway point, Bennett is excited to finish out her career by capturing more great memories. Bennett always carries out her routine of “asking unique questions of the day before every game during warm-ups. I go around with my GoPro and interview everyone.”

As she reflects on the past four years at Linfield, many other great memories come to mind, such as “Catball Olympics at the end of Jan Term. We are divided into four teams and have to compete in events like dodgeball, ultimate frisbee, sometimes with different objects like a football or a weighted ball. The danceoffs and lip sync battles are always great memories as well.”

Jordan Bennett has excelled throughout her time at Linfield and has adapted to the adversity of COVID-19, finding a new role on the team, and accepting change. She’s eager to be a contributing member of another playoff run before it is time to hang up her cleats and be on the opposite side of the field coaching young softball players.

From starting regular as a freshman to veteran role player, Jordan Bennett has adapted to all that’s come her way

MEET THE WILDCATS

april 1-2, 2023

TIANI WAYTON| 1 5-4 | Sophomore | OF Kailua, Hawaii

TAYAH KELLEY | 2 5-7 | Junior | RHP Myrtle Creek, Oregon

claire seats | 5 5-7 | Sophomore | OF Seattle, Washington

savannah fitzgerald| 7

5-4 | Junior | C Twin Falls, Idaho

brianna loza |10 5-4 | Sophomore | 3B Hillsboro, Oregon

Natalie brinda | 13 5-8 | Freshman | SS Portland, Oregon

jordan bennett | 14 5-4 | Junior | RHP San Jose, California

ashley sutton |16 5-8 | Sophomore | C Monroe, Oregon

ashlyn aven | 20 5-7 | Freshman | 3B/C Yelm, Washington

jacey leyvas | 8 5-7 | Sophomore | 1B Redlands, California

brynn nelson|9 5-6 | Sophomore | 2B Bonney Lake, Washington

kelsie williams| 6 5-9 | Freshman | RHP Sammamish, Washington

katrina johns |12 5-5| Graduate Student | SS Naches, Washington

emma podliska|18 5-11 | Junior | C Auburn, Washington

kaili saathoff| 17 6-0 | Sophomore | 1B Philomath, Oregon

kate kraljev |27 5-6 | Freshman | 3B/OF Happy Valley, Oregon

tyler warden | 25 5-10 | Sophomore | RHP Monroe, Oregon

kamryn mobley| 21 5-5 | Junior | 3B Aurora, Oregon

jenna wong | 3 5-3 | Sophomore | SS/2B Kahaluu, Hawaii

BAILY PAUL | 4 5-5 | Graduate Student | OF Gig Harbor, Washington

sophia vandersommen|15 5-6 | Sophomore | OF Tigard, Oregon

haley gutierrez| 22 5-5 | Junior | 2B Hacienda Heights, California

cheyenne datan| 24 5-8 | Senior | RHP

cydney hess | 11 5-10 | Freshman | 3B/1B West Linn, Oregon

katie phillips| 35 5-6 | Senior | OF Tustin, California

haley wadsworth | 30 5-6 | Sophomore | RHP Happy Valley, Oregon

34 mackenzie burke | 34 5-6 | Freshman | LHP/OF Kirkland, Washington

Uncommon

LINFIELD WILDCATS

HEAD COACH: Jackson Vaughan (22nd year)

ASSISTANT COACHES: Emily Allen, Amanda Knopf

STUDENT MANAGERS: Blake Rybar, Caiden Biege-Wetherbee

PACIFIC LUTHERAN LUTES

HEAD COACH: Traci Barrett (fifth year)

ASSISTANT COACHES: Daryl Ashpole, Ron Balmer, Tori Hamura, Anna Nickel, Dustin Prater, Cindy Van Hulle, Troy Greenfield, Kennedy Robillard

HEAD COACH JACKSON VAUGHAN

Jackson Vaughan has transformed the Linfield softball program into an annual national-championship contender during 21 seasons as coach. Vaughan has amassed a career record of 757-191-2, including a 46887 mark in the Northwest Conference. Over the past two decades, he has led Linfield to unprecedented success, a span that includes the 2007 and 2011 NCAA Division III national championships, nine regional titles and 15 conference crowns. Twice, in 2007 and 2011, he was honored as the Division III Coach of the Year by the NFCA and has been named NWC Coach of the Year 11 of the last 15 seasons. He was selected as the top coach in the West Region in 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2011. In 2004, he engineered an upset of No. 1-ranked East Texas Baptist in the regional playoffs. In 2011, Vaughan

guided the Wildcats to their second national championship and third NCAA title appearance in five seasons.

Prior to becoming head coach, he served four seasons as a Wildcats assistant softball coach. He has served as a defensive coordinator and assistant football coach for the past 25 years, helping the Wildcats amass a 188-32 record since 2000. Linfield qualified for the Division III playoffs 14 of the last 20 seasons and captured the 2004 national championship with a 13-0 record.

A native of Hereford, Oregon, Vaughan received a bachelor’s degree from Linfield in accounting in 1997, graduating with honors.

He and his wife, Shelly, live in McMinnville with their three daughters, Hallie, Reese and Finley.

caiden biege-wetherbee Student Assistant KAylie holland Certified Athletic Trainer kelly bird Sports Communications

emily allen Assistant Coach

amanda knopf Assistant Coach

blake rybar Student Assistant

kaho akau Sports Communications

joe stuart Broadcast Coordinator

Eric Albios Broadcast Engineer

DEL SMITH STADIUM

Del Smith Stadium has steadily evolved into a jewel among college softball facilities in the Pacific Northwest. Named in honor of trustee emeritus and longtime Linfield College athletics supporter Del Smith, the facility slowly took shape over a 30-year period.

In 1990, the softball field became a permanent, softball-only facility. Prior to the 1990 season, the softball field was also used as the Wildcats’ soccer field in the fall. At that time, the field underwent a facelift as the playing surface was moved back 25 feet from the street to allow for portable bleachers, a temporary outfield fence was installed and a single batting cage was erected.

In 1995, a substantial upgrade was undertaken which added two covered team dugouts and a home-team dressing room. In addition, a six-foot cyclone fence was installed around the field’s perimeter.

The move toward permanent seating began in 1997 when an elevated platform was constructed. Stadium lighting was added in 2001. By 2008, an all-aluminum 400-seat grandstand replaced three sets of portable bleachers, doubling seating capacity.

An enclosed pressbox replaced a makeshift plywood shelter that provided protection from the weather for statisticians and game officials. During the same period of

time, an enhanced scoreboard with capability to display each score by inning, replaced the aging model in right field.

The facility took another major step forward in 2010 with the completion of two covered and partially enclosed batting cages beyond the outfield wall.

More improvements followed in the fall of 2020. The perimeter of the field was completely encircled with mesh branding, honoring Linfield’s graduated All-Americans as well as the Wildcats’ many conference, regional and national championships. New branded padding was added to the backstop and new netting system was installed.

LINFIELD AT A GLANCE

Winners of 14 straight games, the Wildcats jumped up two spots to No. 7 in the latest NFCA Division III Top 25 Coaches Poll, released Tuesday. Tayah Kelley is one strikeout away from No. 500 after claiming 25 more victims in the Wildcats’ sweep of Willamette. She leads Division III with 12 wins and four shutouts while also ranking second in the nation with nine complete games. Kaili Saathoff (.493) and Cydney Hess (.467) both rank in the NWC’s top 10 in batting average. Saathoff leads the ‘Cats with 36 hits and 25 runs while Katie Phillips has 24 RBI.

PACIFIC LUTHERAN AT A GLANCE

The Lutes are ranked No. 25 in the NFCA national rankings. Cassidy Conrad is 8-2 in the circle with nine complete games, 44 strikeouts and a

3.13 ERA. Rylie Wada is batting .429 while Erin McGrath is right behind with a .425 average. McGrath leads the Lutes with 37 hits and 24 runs and is tied for the team lead with Kennedy Kila with nine doubles and seven home runs. Kila has 28 RBI while McGrath has 24. Mari Foster is 8 for 8 on stolen base attempts.

THE SERIES

Linfield is 65-49 in the all-time series with Pacific Lutheran. The longest win streak for the Wildcats was 14 straight games between the 2018 and 2021 seasons. They are 35-21 against the Lutes at home. The two teams split their NWC series last season in Tacoma. The ‘Cats got the last laugh, winning 4-3 in nine innings to win the NWC Tournament and earn the conference’s automatic berth to the NCAA Division III playoffs.

Please make it home safe today.

4 baily paul

9 brynn nelson

Another week of games, another Northwest Conference Student-Athlete of the Week award, this time for Katie Phillips

2022 NWC Player of the Year

Katie Phillips, a staple in the Linfield lineup since she was a freshman in 2019, reeled in her first career NWC Softball Position Student-Athlete of the Week award. She’s the first position player to receive the honor for the Wildcats in 2023.

Phillips batted .438 in Linfield’s four-game NWC sweep of Willamette in Salem. The first team NFCA AllAmerican went 7 for 16 in the series with six runs scored and 11 RBI. She notched multiple hits in two of the games, led by a 3-for-5 performance in a six-inning, 13-1 win in Game

2. Phillips drove in two or more runs in all four games. In Game

3, the graduate student left fielder went 2 for 4 with a pair of two-run bombs, her first of the year. It was the third two-homer game of her Linfield career. After a busy week at the plate, Phillips is batting .329 on the season with a .346 on-base percentage and a .566 slugging percentage. She leads the ‘Cats with 24 RBI after nearly doubling her season total in the four games. Phillips is the active career leader in Division III softball with 607 at bats, 230 hits and 152 RBI.

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 softball games in 2023. Fans can enjoy live and on-demand video webcasts and play-by-play commentary on their computer, tablet, mobile device or Smart TV.

Live coverage begins 15 minutes prior to the start of each contest. Broadcasts include a complete postgame wrap-up with analysis and statistical breakdown.

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-byplay commentary on football, basketball, baseball and softball webcasting in addition to assisting with other athletics communications needs.

Linfield freshman Eric Albios, a member of the Wildcats baseball team, will direct the video streams from the Del Smith Stadium pressbox. Veteran soccer player Emma Mulligan returns to her post as the outfield camera operator. Senior Jack Stallard, a member of the Linfield men’s basketball team, will also mix-in as an occasional play-by-play voice. Stallard started began broadcasting for the LSN last spring, calling play-by-play for baseball and softball.

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.

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.

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.