WALLA WALLA, Wash.  An early three-run lead and five scoreless innings from starter Travis Craven had Whitman looking toward an upset of Northwest Conference-leading Linfield College Friday afternoon at Borleske Stadium, but the visiting Wildcats scored 12 unanswered runs over their final four at bats to rally for a 12-3 NWC win over the Blues.

Nick Johnson's two-out, two-RBI triple into center field plated Lucas Thrun and Joseph Zimmer to open the scoring in the bottom half of the third. Johnson was then able to jog home on Jake Wishart's double down the left-field line to provide Whitman (17-18, 11-11 NWC) with it's three-run advantage.

Craven's five scoreless innings weren't without peril as Linfield (22-10, 17-5) put 11 batters onto the base paths, but each time the Whitman first-year was able to induce a third out -- three times via fielder's choice grounders -- to escape danger.

The sixth inning changed the story line, however, as the Wildcats finally completed their threats. A lead-off walk was followed by three consecutive singles, one of which scored the lead-off batter. The next batter, Cameron Fox, came to the plate with the bases still jammed and launched a Craven offering into the trees beyond the left-field wall for a grand slam.

The slam lifted Linfield into the lead and signaled the end to its frustrations at the plate. The Wildcats scored three runs in the seventh, and two more in the eighth and ninth while Whitman -- which had 11 base runners in the first five innings -- struggled at the plate during Linfield's 12-run outburst.

The Blues were able gain safe footing on base five times in the sixth through ninth innings, and only once did one of those base runners get pushed into scoring position. Anthony Lim's leadoff walk to start the Whitman seventh eventually turned into a runners-on-the-corners situation after a wild pitch and Thrun single. But Linfield reliever Matt Strang found his own escape with an inning-ending double play that squashed the Blues' best chance at chipping into it's deficit.

The Wildcat infield was a factor in Strang's and starting pitcher Cal Neely's appearances as it turned three double plays and one triple play in the game.

Thrun had the best day at the plate for Whitman with three singles in four at-bats, and he reached safely in that other at-bat on a fielding error, ironically, by the Linfield shortstop. David Johnson also registered a multi-hit game with a pair of singles.

Craven (3-4) took the loss pitching into the sixth inning and surrendering five runs on seven hits and three walks. Neely (6-0) kept his unbeaten season rolling, pitching six full innings and allowing three unearned runs against seven hits and two walks.

The Friday loss, combined with other league results on the day, leave Whitman in a three-way tie for fourth place -- the final playoff spot for the NWC postseason tournament -- with Whitworth University and George Fox University. The Blues play Linfield twice on Saturday at Borleske (starting at 12 p.m.) while Whitworth and Fox play once.