Wildcats advance to NCAA finals
May 18, 2008
MOLINE, Ill. - Shannon Chung scored the game-winning run in the 10th inning to push Linfield past Webster 4-3 Saturday at the NCAA Division III Central Regional. The Wildcats had to win twice on Saturday to advance, downing host Augustana 10-1 in the day’s first game.
With the game on the line in the 10th inning, Chung raced home from third base following a Gorlocks error, touching off a wild celebration as Linfield clinched its first regional title in 37 years.
Rhett Fenton and Stew Davis each had two hits in the game, and Drew Van Cleave and Kevin Mills each had sacrifice RBIs to help Linfield rally from a 2-0 deficit to take a 3-2 lead in the eighth. Mills sacrificed pinch runner Gunnar Cederberg home to give the Wildcats a momentary lead, but the Golocks responded with a tying run in the top of the ninth. Nate Shelton doubled to pull Webster even at 3, sending the game to extra innings.
Webster outhit Linfield 9-4, but four costly errors and some resilient pitching by the Linfield pitching staff put the ‘Cats over the hump.
Garrett Dorn pitched the first eight innings for the Wildcats, striking out seven Gorlocks before giving way to three relievers. Closer Evan Hilberg earned the win after holding Webster scoreless in the 10th.
Webster starter Brett Mueller was rock-solid during the first seven innings, holding the hot-hitting ‘Cats to three base hits. But Linfield jumped all over Gorloks relievers Eric McKinley and Greg Bade, taking advantage of three walks and a hit batter.
Davis went 2-for-4 and drove in a run, while Fenton finished the game 2-for-5.