WHITTIER, Calif. - Pacific Lutheran rallied for five runs in the top of the seventh inning to tie the game, but Whittier scored an unearned run in the bottom of the eighth to spoil the Lutes' season opener, 10-9, on Saturday afternoon.

The second game of the scheduled doubleheader was stopped in the fourth inning because of darkness. The doubleheader was 90 minutes late in starting because there were no umpires at the field at the scheduled noon start.

PLU banged out 14 hits in the game but undid itself with three errors leading to five unearned runs.

Whittier led 5-2 after three innings and took a 9-4 advantage into the top of the seventh inning when the Lutes scored five runs on five hits and a pair of errors. All five of the runs came with two outs. Jackie Martinez kept the inning alive with a single and Shelby Johnston followed with a two-run homer. A Whittier error kept the inning alive and Kaely Cuthill delivered a two-run single to pull the Lutes to within a run at 9-8. Cuthill then scored on a single by Amber Roberts.

The Poets scored the winning run with two outs in the bottom of the eighth, making the most of two hits and a throwing error.

The Lutes had plenty of hitting stars with Stacey Hagensen collecting three hits to lead the way. Roberts had two hits and three runs batted in, Caitlin Brown had two hits, Johnston had two hits and scored three runs, Nitta had two hits and scored twice, and Lauren Watson contributed a pinch-hit RBI base hit.

Martinez went the distance in a losing pitching effort for PLU. She allowed 10 runs, only five earned, on 11 hits while walking two and striking out three.

The Lutes return to action at noon tomorrow when they face the host University of La Verne Leopards in a non-conference doubleheader.

- PLU -