THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - For the second straight day on its spring break trip to California, Pacific Lutheran lost the first game of a non-conference softball doubleheader against Cal Lutheran before coming back to take the second game.

The Lutes (17-9 overall) dropped the opening game, 6-2, and then took the second contest, 4-2, against Cal Lutheran (11-19).

Pitcher Stacey Hagensen saw her record drop to 10-4 as Cal Lutheran scored four runs on six hits and three walks in five innings against the PLU ace. Cal Lutheran led 1-0 after one inning and added three more runs in the fourth, highlighted by Courtney Minton's two-run homer. Danika Green hit a two-run double against PLU relief pitcher Jackie Martinez for the final two CLU runs in the bottom of the sixth.

The Lutes got their only runs in the top of the seventh when Kaely Cuthill hit a two-run single and Hagensen followed with her sixth homer of the year. Cuthill had two of PLU's six hits in the game.

Kaaren Hatlen improved her pitching record to 7-2 with a complete-game performance in the second contest. She allowed two runs, one earned, on six hits while striking out three and walking none.

After Lindsey Matsunaga gave the Lutes a 1-0 lead in the second inning with her fourth homer of the season. Hatlen made it 3-0 in the fifth inning with her fourth home run following Cuthill's base hit. The Lutes added their other run in the seventh when Amanda Goings reached on a hit, stole second and third, and then scored on Glenelle Nitta's two-out bunt single.

PLU finished with eight hits, including two apiece by Cuthill and Katie Lowery.

The Lutes continue their California road trip tomorrow with a doubleheader at Chapman.

- PLU -