Linfield (17-7) got the go-ahead run in the 11th after putting its first two runners on in the inning. Then, while CU catcher Ben Talbot successfully picked off the lead runner during the next at bat, the runner on first advanced to second on the play to still give the Wildcats a runner in scoring position. Linfield’s Kenny Johnson made the Cavs pay for that advancement took, as he followed the play with a clutch single to center to score the man from second for the go-ahead run. The Wildcats could have tacked on more runs in 11th as well, but a good defensive play from CU pitcher Eric Weir got Johnson out at the plate later in the inning, while Weir then struck out the Wildcats’ Kramer Lindell looking to end the inning with runners on second and third.

Once in their own part of the 11th, Concordia’s Blake Drake and C.J. Watson gave the Cavs hope with a walk and single that put runners on first and second with two outs, but Linfield pitcher Aaron Thomassen induced a fly ball to end the Cavs’ comeback attempt.

Concordia had already comeback once late in the game after Linfield broke a 1-1 tie in the top of the eighth to take a 2-1 lead. Linfield’s Clayton Truex provided the big hit for the Wildcats in the eighth, sending a two-out single through the left side of the infield to score Lindell from second. The Wildcats continued the threat after that too, as Linfield’s Nick Fisher walked during the next at bat to load the bases for the Wildcats, and bring up Kevin Allan to the plate, who had been 2-for-2 with a double to that point in the game. Sure enough, Allan sent another screamer down the left-field line that appeared as if it were destined to be a double and score at least two more runs for the Wildcats. However, Concordia third baseman Carl Beckert dove fully extended to his right, snagging the ball with no part of his body on the ground for the final out in the inning.

Beckert’s play kept it a one-run game and gave the Cavs instant momentum heading into their part of the eight. With one out in the inning, Nathan Douglas started the CU retaliation with an infield single and was followed by a single to left from Sheldon Austria. A wild pitch from Thomassen, Linfield’s fifth pitcher of the game, advanced both runners a base, while Linfield catcher Chance Laboda compounded the error by sending a throw into left field on the play. Consequently, Douglas, despite getting a late jump, slid around the plate to beat a quality throw from the outfield for the tying run.

Still, the Cavs’ heroics in the eighth were trumped by Linfield’s in the 11th, dropping the Cavs to 6-2 against teams from the NCAA Division III Northwest Conference. The result also evened the season series between Linfield and Concordia after the Cavs defeated Linfield 6-2 in a game at McMinnville, Ore., on March 28.

On top of that, the game evened the Cavs’ record in extra-inning games this season after they defeated George Fox 5-4 in 11 innings at the Lewis-Clark State Tournament on February 12. On the flip side,the game was the first to last longer than nine innings for the Wildcats.

Earlier in the game, Concordia struck first with a single run in the bottom of the third. Shortstop Jordan Keeker led off the frame with a single to left and immediately moved up a base via a sacrifice bunt from the catcher Talbot. A single to the shortstop off the bat of Ryan Rodriguez put runners at the corners for the Cavs where Drake connected on a single through the middle to plate Keeker.

Meanwhile, finally getting to CU starter Shayne Nakata, the Wildcats responded in the top of the fifth with a mini two-out rally. After outfielder Nate McClennan was gunned down on a steal attempt by Talbot, back-to-back walks from Nakata gave Linfield a runner in scoring position for the third time in the game. Wasting no time, second baseman Tim Wilson singled to right to square the contest at 1-1. Still with runners at first and second at that point, Nakata prevented further damage by getting Jordan Harlow to ground out back to the pitcher’s mound to end the threat.

Overall, Linfield outhit the Cavs 12-8 in the game, though the Cavalier defense helped strand 12 Linfield runners.

Individually, Allan and Tim Wilson each led Linfield with three hits in the game, while Allan scored two runs as well. Meanwhile, Drake led the Cavs’ offense, going 2-fo-4 with an RBI.

On the mound, Thomassen received the win after throwing the final four innings in the game, giving up one unearned run on three hits and a walk.

The Cavaliers will return to NAIA West Region play when it travels to face No. 1-ranked Lewis-Clark State (25-8, 15-4 NAIA West) for a four-game series in Lewiston, Idaho. The Cavs will play single games on Thursday, April 5 and Friday, April 6 before concluding the series with a doubleheader on Saturday.