LINFIELD UNIVERSITY SOFTBALL VERSUS GEORGE FOX • MARCH 29, 2023

WELCOME TO LINFIELD UNIVERSITY

TODAY’S MATCHUP: GEORGE FOX 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

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WILDCAT SPOTLIGHT

right place, right time

Rewarded with a more immersive experience, Savannah Fitzgerald’s transfer to Linfield proved a sound decision

by marissa dolson ’24

Arriving at Linfield University as a transfer student in the fall of 2021 was intimidating experience for Savannah Fitzgerald. With unknowns and uncertainty flooding her mind, much of the stress of the transition was lifted when the Linfield softball family welcomed her with open arms. And she has never looked back on her decision.

After hanging up her softball uniform at Skagit Valley Community College, Fitzgerald was ready to step into Linfield softball gear and compete for another two years.

Developing deep relationships with her Linfield teammates has made her love for the game grow stronger.

Says Fitzgerald: “(Linfield softball is) a very different dynamic than Skagit Valley. The fact that everyone is here because they love softball and have to be (committed to the program) is a great feeling. Also, it’s always so fun to be a part of a winning program. I love having that thrilling feeling of everyone wanting to beat you.”

Over the last year, Fitzgerald has accumulated some amazing experiences with her teammates.

“Some of my favorite memories include the walk-off home run against George Fox in Game 2 of the NWC Tournament, our trip to Georgia where we went 5-1 on the weekend, and when we all visited the Chat tahoochee River Bridge,” she says. “And all of the lip sync battles, ninja wars, dance-offs, relay races, and obstacle courses during the Catball Olympics. Ultimately, the CatBall traditions have made my journey unforgettable.”

When Fitzgerald isn’t behind the plate catching pitches, she is studying accounting while pursuing a minor in management. Her plans include becoming a certified public accountant at a firm in either her home state of Idaho, or perhaps Oregon or Utah.

“My academic career at Linfield has helped me grow as a person because of the excellent professors and the extensive knowledge and passion they have for their specific fields,” she says. “The ‘Meet the Firm’ event that Linfield sponsors also helped me get in touch with Delap LLP, a great CPA firm in Oregon where I interned last summer. The experience helped me gain knowledge about real-world accounting and allowed me to connect with a great group of people who I could see myself working with after college.”

Though Fitzgerald’s immediate goals seem pretty much set in stone, she could see her plans shifting in the future to running her family’s dairy farm with the help of her family members.

“My parents, Andrew and Michele, own a dairy farm in Shoshone, Idaho, called 4-Bros Dairy. I spend my time in the summers working with them occasionally,” says Fitzgerald. “After becoming a CPA, depending on the circumstances, I could potentially see myself taking over the family dairy farm with my cousins as our parents retire.”

Getting help from her extended family to run the dairy farm in the future shouldn’t be hard thanks to Fitzgerald’s “big family that consists of 30-plus cousins from both sides and two nephews and one niece.”

Her family has exemplified the importance of hard work and dedication. Her mother and father have always been her biggest role models and have encouraged her to pursue any and all dreams she desires. Despite the 9½-hour drive from Twin Falls, Idaho, her family is persistent about attending every game they possibly can.

“I wouldn’t be the person I am today without the example both my parents set for me and with what they did in their own lives. They made sure I had every opportunity to achieve my goals,” says Fitzgerald. “The way they carry themselves and give to others is inspiring. I look up to them tremendously. They never let bad things that have happened in their lives affect them negatively.”

Fitzgerald is always excited to see familiar family faces in the stands as CatBall strives to reach its goals this season.

“We have the hunger,” to repeat as Northwest Conference champion, Fitzgerald says, and claim the automatic berth to the NCAA playoffs. With a veteran group and a solid freshman class that’s already contributing, the mindset of the softball team is to “be the hunter and not the hunted.” Fitzgerald believes this year’s squad is ready to contend for a national title. The team has its eyes on the prize.

“We plan to take each game seriously and get better at everything, so when the pressure is on at the end of the season, we are fully prepared and at the top of our game.

“We truly are ‘As One’ and fail and succeed together. There is no better aspect to a program, in my opinion, and that is why I am so glad to be a part of this team and everything it stands for.”

MEET THE WILDCATS

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

GEORGE FOX BRUINS

HEAD COACH: Jessica Hollen (15th year)

ASSISTANT COACHES: John Hollen, Rachel LaRont

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

Tayah Kelley was named the NWC Pitcher of the Week for the third time this season on March 20 after leading Linfield to a 6-0 record at the Pioneer Classic. She went 3-0 in the tournament and struck out 24 batters. Her performance included a two-hit shutout with eight Ks against then-No. 13 Transylvania. Kaili Saathoff ranks in the NWC’s top 10 in batting average, on-base percentage, hits and runs. Claire Seats is the team’s leader in slugging percentage and RBI. Cydney Hess is batting well above .400 in her debut season.

GEORGE FOX AT A GLANCE

George Fox lost its first game of the Pioneer Classic but bounced back to win five straight on a successful road trip for the NWC. The Bruins lead Division III in home runs, sitting right above

Pacific Lutheran in the national rankings. Kamryn Potter has been an on-base machine, leading the team in batting average, hits, runs, walks and doubles. Sydney Sandifer is the Bruins’ leader in homers and RBI. Ashley Davis returned to the circle in 2023 following back-to-back first team all-NWC selections. She was the NWC Pitcher of the Year in 2021.

THE SERIES

Linfield has dominated the all-time series with George Fox, leading by a 92-20-1 margin. The streak of excellence includes 51 straight wins between 2001 and 2014. Linfield took three of four games in last season’s series in Newberg. The ‘Cats also beat the Bruins, 3-1, to advance to the 2022 NWC title game, thanks to a walk-off three-run homer by Seats.

Please make it

17 kaili saathoff

Tayah Kelley earns her third NWC Softball Student-Athlete of the Week award of the season after going 6-0 in Kentucky

Linfield’s Tayah Kelley was named the NWC Softball Pitcher Student-Athlete of the Week six times last season. She’s already halfway there in 2023 as the reigning NWC Pitcher of the Year and NFCA Second Team All-American recently earned her third weekly award of 2023.

A 12-time honoree, Kelley also earned the honor on three occasions as a sophomore in 2021. Now a senior, she’s off to a 9-0 start to the year with eight complete games. The Myrtle Creek native leads the NWC with three shutouts, 69 strikeouts and a 1.29 ERA. The punchouts rank No. 8 in Division III.

Kelley went 3-0 in the circle and struck out 24 batters to help lead the Wildcats to a perfect 6-0 record at the Pioneer Classic in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. In a 9-1, mercy-rule win over Calvin, Kelley allowed just one run on three hits while striking out six. She came back the next day and tossed a two-hit shutout in the team’s 2-0 win over tournament host and No. 13 Transylvania. The hard-throwing righty claimed seven more victims via strikeout against Washington-St. Louis.

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.