TUCSON, Ariz. – Following a marathon baseball day Saturday that did not conclude until 11 p.m. MST, the 17th-ranked Pacific Lutheran baseball team closed out its Arizona trip with an early game against La Verne Sunday. The pitchers' duel went down to the ninth, as PLU tied it up in the top of the inning before La Verne walked off with a 3-2 victory.

The defeat wrapped a 3-1 trip that saw the Lutes improve their record to 4-4 heading into next weekend's Northwest Conference opener. PLU totaled 36 runs on offense in the four games.

"It was a tough game today, but overall a successful weekend," PLU head coach Nolan Soete said. "We had a good weekend on offense, and we got good starting pitching performances from all four starters. It was good to see, because the guys really put in a lot of hard work last week."

Cory Nelson started for the Lutes Sunday morning and threw seven innings of two-run ball. La Verne scored a run in the second and another in the third to take an early 2-0 lead, but PLU rallied late to tie it up.

Landon Packard hit his first home run of the season Sunday, a solo shot in the top of the seventh to pull the Lutes within one run. Packard also came up with the big hit in the ninth, tying it up with a one-out single.

Cole Johnson led off the ninth with a base hit, and Tyler Thompson reached on a fielder's choice and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Drew Oord walked to put runners at first and second for Packard, who brought Thompson home to make it 2-2. The Lutes loaded the bases after an infield single by Brett Johnson, but they were unable to score again in the inning. La Verne used a pair of singles and a PLU error to score the game-winner in the bottom of the inning.

"We pride ourselves on pitching and defense, and we did pretty well in those two areas this weekend," Packard said. "We also had a good weekend offensively. We need to continue to work hard and get ready for Linfield next weekend."

Garrett Brown picked up his second save of the season Saturday and solidified his position as closer with a 3.18 earned run average in 5.2 innings of relief this season.

"We got a lot better this weekend, but we still have a ways to go," Brown said. "The goal is to continue to get better throughout the season and peak at the right time."

The Lutes will make their 2016 home debut next weekend, as they open Northwest Conference play with a three-game series against 14th-ranked Linfield. The two teams will play a doubleheader Saturday beginning at 11 a.m., with the final game of the series set for Sunday at 12 p.m.