The 2023 softball season was one for the books. The Wildcats finished their season with a record-setting postseason run to the NCAA Division III championship, a third-straight Northwest Conference title and a 46-6 overall record. Linfield’s 27-1 NWC record equaled the best mark versus conference opponents in league history.
In addition to the team’s achievements, several individuals etched their names in the Linfield record books. Pitcher Tayah Kelley ’23 broke the single season record for wins (31) and career strikeouts (658). Katie Phillips ’22, ’23 set career records for doubles (66), triples (14), at-bats (718), games started (206) and games played (206). Kaili Saathoff ’25 won the NCAA’s Elite 90 award at the NCAA Championships, an honor presented to a single scholar-athlete competing at each of the NCAA’s 90 championship events.
The Wildcat coaching staff received honors, as well, with head coach Jackson Vaughan, assistant coach Emily Allen and pitching coach Amanda Knopf chosen as the ATEC/National Fastpitch Coaches Association Region X Coaching Staff of the Year.
The team earned success off the field, as well, earning the Easton/NFCA academic citation for their excellence in the classroom. The Wildcat Softball team finished the 2022-23 academic year with a combined 3.501 cumulative GPA.
