SALEM, Ore. – Willamette scored four unearned runs in the bottom of the second inning, and despite out-hitting the Bearcats Pacific Lutheran could not overcome the early deficit as the 23rd-ranked Lutes' bid for a series sweep fell short with a 5-3 Northwest Conference baseball loss Sunday afternoon at John Lewis Field.

Pacific Lutheran earned the 2-1 road series win by virtue of a doubleheader sweep on Saturday, leaving the Lutes at 12-5 overall and 6-3 in conference play. Willamette ended the weekend with a 13-3 overall record and a 6-3 NWC mark as the Lutes and Bearcats are tied for second in the NWC standings.

Kyle Rossman took the loss for the Lutes, allowing five runs – with only one earned – in six innings while throwing 88 pitches. Ty Donahou threw the final two innings for the Lutes, limiting the Bearcats to one hit and one walk on 26 pitches. Tyler Olson picked up the win for Willamette with six innings of two-run ball, and Andrew Koumelis earned his second save of the season after pitching the final two innings in relief.

Tyler Thompson's second home run of the season drove in two for the Lutes, while Collin Nilson tallied three hits and Ben Welch and Drew Oord each picked up a pair of hits. Nate Bush led Willamette with two hits, while Rolenn Himuro drove in two for the Bearcats.

Willamette scored all five of its runs in the bottom of the second inning, with four coming in unearned following a PLU fielding error. The Bearcats recorded five of their eight hits in the frame, with Himur's two-out, two-run double serving as the biggest hit of the inning.

PLU got on the board with two runs in the top of the sixth inning. Nilson opened the inning with a full-count single to center, and Thompson stepped to the plate and sent the ball over the fence in center. The Lutes added one more in the top of the seventh and left two runners on base. Frank Airey led off with a single and Welch reached on a fielder's choice. Oord singled to right, and Connor Cantu reached on a fielder's choice to leave runners at first and second with two outs. Nilson singled to left center to pull the Lutes within two at 5-3.

The Lutes had two more hits in the top of the ninth, but a double play lineout picked up the first two outs as Willamette held on for the win.