MARSHALL, Texas - For someone known mostly for her glove work and speed while playing center field. Spencer Sherwin sure did a tremendous job of carrying the Pacific Lutheran softball team to a pair of non-conference wins here on Tuesday night.
In the two games combined, Sherwin was 7-for-7 with two triples, four runs scored, three runs driven in, and three stolen bases as the Lutes swept aside East Texas Baptist by 11-5 and 5-4 scores.
As a result of the wins, the defending national champion and currently unranked Lutes improve their overall record to 15-7. East Texas Baptist, ranked No. 11 in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division III Top 25 poll, falls to 19-5 for the season.
Game One - PLU 11, ETBU 5
The game was close until the top of the seventh when the Lutes busted loose for five runs. Sherwin led off with a triple and scored on a double by Montessa Califano. With the bases loaded, pinch hitter Dewey Davis hit a two-run single down the left field line, and Lindsey Matsunaga followed with a RBI single up the middle. Sherwin then capped the explosive inning that she had started with a run-scoring base hit.
Kaaren Hatlen, who entered the game with no out in the bottom of the sixth, ended up getting the save in relief. Kelsey Robinson went the first four inning to pick up the win and improve her season record to 6-2.
There were plenty of hitting stars in this game as the Lutes broke out with 18 hits, the most they have collected in a single game this season. Califano finished 3-for-5, Amanda Hall was 3-for-4, Katie Lowery was 2-for-5 with two runs scored and two driven in, Robinson was 2-for-4, and Matsunaga was 2-for-4 with two runs batted in.
Game Two - PLU 5, ETBU 4
Sherwin finished this game 3-for-3 with a triple, two runs scored and a run driven in. Hatlen went the distance to pick up the pitching victory and improve her season record to 5-3.
With the game tied 1-1 after the first inning, PLU scored two in the second and more in the top of the fourth to take a 4-1 lead. With a 5-2 advantage going into the bottom of the sixth, the Lutes saw the Tigers score twice to pull within a run, but the scoring ended there.
Sherwin played a part in both of the second inning runs. After a leadoff double by Matsunaga, Sherwin hit her second triple of the day to center field. She then scored on Robinson's sacrifice fly. She then manufactured PLU's fourth inning run with her speed. After hitting a one-out single to right field, she stole second and third and came in on a throwing error by the ETBU catcher.
Holding the precarious one-run lead in the bottom of the seventh, PLU held on as Hatlen retired the side in order.
Pacific Lutheran finished this game with 11 hits. In addition to Sherwin's three, Califano and Hatlen both contributed a pair.
The Lutes conclude their six-game Texas spring break trip with a Wednesday afternoon doubleheader at No. 3-ranked Texas-Tyler.
- PLU -
