McMINNVILLE, Ore. – Ryan Larson has been a Pacific Lutheran nemesis for four straight years, and the first team All-Northwest Conference pitcher had one more dominating effort against the Lutes in his final collegiate on Saturday afternoon, leading the Linfield Wildcats to a 3-0 win at Roy Helser Field.

Linfield's ace was untouchable, allowing four hits and no walks while striking out nine Lutes en route to the complete-game shutout. All the Lutes could manage against Larson were a double by Jaron Iwakami and singles by Markus McClurkin, Jacob Hoffman and Brock Gates.

The Lutes (24-15) threatened in the third as a base hit from McClurkin put runners on first and third, but Larson kept his composure and struck out the next batter to end the inning and preserve the shutout.

Linfield scored a run in the bottom of the third on a leadoff double, two walks and a single, but after that PLU starter Chris Bishop kept the Wildcats at bay until the sixth inning when two singles sandwiched around a double plated the game's final two runs.

Bishop lasted 5 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on eight hits while walking four and striking out six Linfield batters. Collin Nilson hit the only batter he faced, and Jacob Otness went the final 2 1/3 innings, allowing no runs and only one hit.

Linfield (24-15) had nine total hits, led by Tim Wilson with three.

Pacific Lutheran, which has faced both George Fox ace Brian Ranta and Linfield's Larson thus far in McMinnville, closes its season at noon tomorrow with a game against NAIA powerhouse Lewis-Clark State.

- PLU -