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

To find a healthcare provider, call 503.922.6991 To learn more, visit WillametteValleyMedical.com

The Records

Linfield enters the week at 4-8 overall and 2-4 in Northwest Conference play. Whitworth is 5-9 overall with a 2-1 NWC mark.

Linfield At A Glance

The Wildcats are looking to shake off a series loss at Puget Sound. They opened the week with a non-conference game against Corban. Jake Hoskins leads the team with a .377 batting average and 20 hits. Nick Holm is batting .375 with three home runs and 13 RBI. He’s slugging .719 with a .415 on-base percentage in his freshman season. Branden Pasion has scored 12 times while Cameron Skinner leads the ‘Cats with four doubles. Gavin Ludlow has 10 strikeouts and a 2.13 ERA in five relief appearances.

Whitworth At A Glance

The Pirates snapped a four-game losing streak by taking two of three games from Lewis & Clark last week. Elijah Tanner and Dawson Warner are each batting .333. Tanner has 16 hits, including three doubles and two triples. Zach Tincher and Austin Paul have both driven in nine runs. Hunter Dryden is 3-1 with a 3.80 ERA in four starts. Hunter Williams is holding opposing lineups to a .227 average in five appearances and one start.

The Series

Linfield commands the all-time series with Whitworth, owning a 96-56 record. That record includes a 52-25 mark at home. The Wildcats won 12 straight between 2007 and 2010, but the Pirates won seven of the last 10. Whitworth took two of three games at Roy Helser Field in 2022.