McMINNVILLE, Ore. - Aaron Thomassen limited Pacific Lutheran to just three hits in seven innings Friday to lead the host Linfield Wildcats past Pacific Lutheran, 3-1, in the CCC-NWC Baseball Challenge at Roy Helser Field.

With the win in this non-conference game, Linfield improved 4-1 for the season. Pacific Lutheran saw its three-game winning streak come to an end and is now 4-3.

PLU junior ace Max Beatty was in control through the first four innings, and had the Lutes been able to turn a double play in the fifth, he may have continued on the mound on this very cold, damp night.

The Lutes took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning when Collin Nilson hit a double to the gap in right-centerfield. Walks to Markus McClurkin and Curtis Wildung loaded the bases, and Nicholas Hall drove in Nilson with an infield ground out. PLU had a chance for two more runs but Linfield centerfielder Kramer Lindell made a diving catch on Garrett Brown's line drive.

Linfield had three doubles through the first four innings, though only one of the balls was hit hard, but the Wildcats finally got to Beatty in the bottom of the fifth inning. Even then, had the Lutes been able to turn a double play on a comebacker, they would have gotten out of the inning without giving up a run.

With one out and runners at the corners, Tim Wilson hit a grounder right back to Beatty. Hall took Beatty's throw at second, but the speedy Wilson just beat the throw to first, which gave the 'Cats their first run. After Wilson stole second and Corey VanDomelen drew a walk, Nate McClellan hit an opposite field double to left field to drive in two runs.

Beatty, who allowed six hits and three runs while striking out five in his five innings of work, took the loss and is now 2-1 for the season.

After allowing the Lutes their one run in the second, Thomassen started to roll through the PLU lineup. He allowed only three base runners over the next five innings, including singles by Alec Beal in the third and by McClurkin in the fourth.

The Lutes put together one final rally in the top of the ninth inning. McClurkin hit a two-out double to the fence in left field - after Wilson's diving grab in right field robbed Nilson of a single - and pinch hitter Chris Bishop drew a walk. Relief pitcher Justin Huckins got out of the jam, however, striking out his fourth PLU batter with the tying run on first base.

Thomassen picked up the win to improve to 2-0 and has now allowed only one run and five hits in 13 innings this season. Huckins picked up his second save of the season.

For the Lutes, AJ Konopaski threw two scoreless innings of relief, and Jacob Otness finished up with a 1-2-3 bottom of the eighth.

PLU returns to action in the CCC-NWC Baseball Challenge at 2 p.m. Saturday when it faces Oregon Tech at Concordia University in Portland.

- PLU -