Baseball | 2/14/2014 2:04:00 PM

MONMOUTH, Ore. – The Western Oregon University baseball team renews a rivalry with Linfield College (Ore.) Sunday in McMinnville.

The schools, separated by 26 miles, have not met in baseball since 2011. The Wildcats won that meeting, 4-3, in a tournament in Lewiston, Idaho. It's only the second meeting between the programs since 2000; the last in Oregon was 14 years ago. Linfield owns the all-time series, 28-19-1.

The defending NCAA Div. III national champion Wildcats (4-0) completed a perfect trip to Arizona to open its season. They outscored their opponents 39-12 during the victories. Linfield begins its season as the top-ranked team in Div. III.

The Wildcats return their entire pitching staff, along with a large number of the rest of their roster from last season. Linfield's title defense begins on the mound, where the Wildcats return all three starters, including National Pitcher of the Year Chris Haddeland, All-West Region performer Aaron Thomassen and three-year starter Zach Brandon.

The talented trio combined for 35 of Linfield's 42 victories and a 2.11 ERA in 2013, helping the 'Cats win every weekend in Northwest Conference action and 10 of 12 playoff games en route to the national title. Offensively, the Wildcat lineup features four players who hit .300 or better in 2013.

Jake Wylie went 7-for-15 at the plate to open the 2014 season. The senior had six doubles and a home run while in Arizona, driving in six RBI. Clayton Truex also brought in six RBI. Nick Fisher had three doubles and a home run with five RBI.

Western Oregon opened the season by taking three of four at Cal State-Monterey Bay. The No. 18 nationally-ranked Otters are No. 2 in the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) NCAA Div. II West Region poll. WOU then went and split at No. 4 Sonoma State. The Wolves are ranked ninth in the West Region poll.

The Wolves' (4-2) Daniel McNabb was named the NCBWA NCAA Div. II West Region Player of the Week Wednesday. The senior had seven hits in 13 at bats and produced a total of 10 runs, scoring three and driving in seven, as the Wolves won three of four games including two over nationally-ranked Cal State Monterey Bay. He was named the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Player of the Week Monday.

In the win at Sonoma State, Kody Stone picked up his third save already this young season. The senior moved into second place all-time in the GNAC record books with 16 career saves.

Sunday's first pitch at Linfield is scheduled for noon. Live stats will be available on WOUWolves.com.