FOREST GROVE, Ore. – Despite solid pitching performances, Pacific swept PLU on Sunday by scores of 4-1, 3-1 and 3-2 (9 innings). Pacific Lutheran is now 9-13 in Northwest Conference play, 12-22 overall. Pacific advanced to 13-8 NWC, 18-9 overall.

The day started with the remainder of the Feb. 22 rainout. The game had been postponed at the top of the fourth inning with the Boxers leading the Lutes 2-1. PLU was unable to close the gap, allowing two more runs to Pacific to take the loss 4-1. Pacific pitcher Sara Aasness tossed five no-hit innings to secure the victory for the Boxers. Kelsey Robinson, pitching relief for starter Kelli Crawford, tossed five innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits and two walks. Crawford would be charged with the loss.

In game one of the originally scheduled doubleheader, Leah Butters took a no-hitter into the fourth inning when Boxers' Rachel Roberts singled to break it up. The rally continued for Pacific as they scored twice later in the inning to take the 2-0 lead. The Lutes put one on the board in the sixth on a Lindsey Matsunaga single, but were unable to close the gap further. The Boxers added an insurance run in the home half of the sixth on their way to a 3-1 victory.

Game two remained scoreless until a sixth inning rally by the Lutes put them up 1-0. The Boxers wasted no time answering back, scoring a run of their own in the bottom half. The tie forced extra innings with Emily McConnell batting in the go-ahead run for the Lutes with an RBI-single in the ninth. Three outs away from the win, PLU allowed the tying run to reach on an error, which was followed by an RBI-double to even things up 2-2. With Boxer runners on first and third, the winning run scored on a throwing error by catcher Katie Lowery in an attempt to pick off the first base runner. The Lutes took the 3-2 loss.

Pacific Lutheran softball will get right back to it on Tuesday when they travel to Willamette to resume its Mar. 8 contest that was postponed in the bottom of the first inning due to weather. The Lutes and Bearcats are tied 2-2. Also on deck for the Lutes is a Thursday afternoon makeup game against Whitworth at home. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. Finally, PLU will wrap up regular season play this weekend against cross-town rivals Puget Sound. On Saturday, UPS will host a doubleheader with a 12:00 p.m. first pitch. PLU will then host the Loggers for a Sunday twinbill to begin at noon.