Chris Haddeland hurled a two-hit shutout in leading top-seeded Linfield to a 2-0 victory over sixth-seeded Texas Lutheran in the opening game for both teams at the NCAA West Regional Tournament on Wednesday, May 15 at Tornado Field.

Linfield jumped on the board quickly in the bottom of the first by getting an RBI single through the left side from Jeff Wylie that scored Tim Wilson. One frame later, the Wildcats got an insurance tally when Jordan Harlow doubled to left center to plate Nick Fisher, who hit a two-bagger to start the inning. Haddeland stayed in control on the mound the rest of the way.

Haddeland, who retired the last 14 Bulldog batters he faced, earned the victory for Linfield and improved his record to 12-1. He recorded nine strikeouts and did not issue a walk. Texas Lutheran's Jeff Spillane suffered the loss and dropped to 9-3 after yielding seven hits and two runs, which were both earned, while striking out five and issuing three walks.

Linfield will face the loser of tonight's game between No. 3 Texas-Tyler and No. 4 Pomona-Pitzer tomorrow afternoon at 3:30 p.m. Texas Lutheran will play the loser of this afternoon's contest between No. 2 California Lutheran and No. 5 Trinity in an elimination game at noon.