PARKLAND – Pacific Lutheran Softball fell twice to Linfield in Saturday's doubleheader with the Wildcats winning both games on the run rule. Linfield topped PLU 12-2 in five innings in the first game and followed with an eight-run shutout over the Lutes in the late afternoon contest.

PLU fell to 8-10 in Northwest Conference play, 15-15 overall while Linfield is now 10-8 NWC, 21-9 on the season.

The Wildcats tagged the Lutes for five runs early in the first game and never relinquished the lead. PLU's two runs came in the second inning on Samantha Boelter's second home run of the season.

Linfield's Montana McNealy recorded her fourteenth victory, tossing four innings and allowing only two runs on two hits and one walk. The Wildcats offense combined for 12 hits with two doubles, one triple and two home runs, including a grand slam by freshman Cheyenne Fletcher in the fourth that gave the Wildcats the run rule advantage.

Leah Butters (7-7) pitched three innings while allowing eight runs on 10 hits and a walk. Makayla Bentz tossed one inning of relief, surrendering four runs on two hits and three walks.

In the second game, the Lutes were limited again to only two hits - singles by Boelter and Amanda Hartley. Wildcats' pitcher Maddy Dunn earned the victory, pitching five two-hit shutout innings.

Marissa Miller (6-7) pitched four innings for the Lutes, surrendering eight runs on 11 hits and four walks.

PLU returns home to host Willamette on Wednesday in a doubleheader that was rained out earlier this season on March 15. The rescheduled games are set for a 2 p.m. first pitch.