Unless you've been living under a rock you should know by know that the Linfield College Baseball team just completed their finest season in program history by winning the 2013 NCAA Division III National Championship this past Tuesday in Appleton, Wisconsin. Linfield put a cap on their 42-8 season by downing the University of Southern Maine 4-1 in a winner-takes-all championship game. The championship is the 3rd in program history and the 1st as members of the NCAA. Linfield previously won national titles in 1966 and 1971. Linfield has always had a strong baseball program and has been a national contender for the past 6 seasons as the 'Cats have captured 3 Regional Championships and finished 3rd in country in 2010.
The 'Cats came into the 2013 season not even ranked in the top 50 and NWC coaches slotted the 'Cats as the 3rd place team in the NWC pre-season polls. However, those predictions didn't faze a roster mixed with strong season leadership and highly talented youth. The 'Cats blasted all-comers with a lockdown 2.64 team ERA, .973 field percentage, .319 batting average while platting 5.97 runs per game. They pretty much beat team after team in multiple ways.
It was an exciting week to watch this team in Appleton and the Linfield community exploded with pride as a GREAT group of student-athletes put together a remarkable year that was capped with the 'Cats winning it all. A nice football tag was Linfield Tight End Spencer Metzsch (Soph) is also a pitcher for the 'Cats and started a game in the World Series as Metzsch threw 4.2 strong innings vs Ithaca on Monday.
The press coverage has been awesome and well deserved for Linfield's first National Baseball Title in 42 years. It's always a great day to be a Wildcat but this past Tuesday was one to remember forever. Go 'Cats!
D3baseball: Linfield gets over the top.
Linfield Sports: The Waiting's Over: Linfield is NCAA National Champion!
Oregonian: Linfield Rolls Past Southern Main to claim National Championship
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