PORTLAND, Ore. – Pacific Lutheran softball defeated the College of Idaho 8-7 on Saturday in its first game of the season at the Northwest Cup. The Lutes were scheduled to face Concordia University following their matchup with the Coyotes but have been rescheduled for Sunday at 3 p.m. due to weather.
Junior Kelsey Robinson pitched a complete game, allowing 12 hits with eight walks and three strikeouts. At the plate, Robinson was a huge contributor, going 3 for 3 with an RBI and three runs scored.
The College of Idaho struck first with one run in the first inning. PLU quickly responded with two consecutive two-run innings to pull ahead 4-1.
The Coyotes overcame their three-run deficit with two consecutive two-run innings of their own to regain the lead at 5-4. The Lutes would pull ahead for good with two runs in the fifth, adding two insurance runs in the sixth inning.
In the bottom of the fifth, designated player Emily McConnell singled to begin a two out rally. Center fielder Spencer Sherwin followed with a base hit, advancing McConnell to second. Following a walk by left fielder Thalen Masada, McConnell scored from third on a wild pitch to tie the game at five apiece. The inning continued with a single to left field off the bat of shortstop Lindsey Matsunaga to score Sherwin from third base for the go ahead run. Attempting to score from second was Masada who was called out at home to end the inning.
The Lutes added two runs to their 6-5 lead in the sixth inning. After first baseman Tori Hamura was hit by a pitch, Robinson doubled to left field to score an insurance run for the Lutes. Robinson would score later in the inning off a sacrifice fly by Samantha Pryor.
The Coyotes threatened with two runs in the top of the seventh inning, but a ground out by Coyotes' catcher Destiny Turner would end the inning and secure the 8-7 victory for the Lutes.
Pacific Lutheran will continue play at the Northwest Cup on Sunday at 11 a.m. when it takes on Northwest Christian followed by Oregon Tech at 1 p.m. The Lutes will finish with their postponed matchup against Concordia University at 3 p.m.
