by Christian Bond, Sports Information Student Writer

PARKLAND, Wash. - Tyler Thompson hit his fourth home run of the season and Connor Cantu was a home run short of hitting for the cycle as Pacific Lutheran claimed a decisive 17-2 victory in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against Whitman College.  

The Lutes (11-12, 7-7) matched their run total with 17 hits. The heavy offensive outburst was highlighted by six Lutes each contributing two or more hits. 

Ben Welch, Brett Johnson, Landon Packard and Drew Oord each tallied two hits while Oord led the Lutes with four RBIs in the first game. He now has 14 on the season.  

A pair of freshmen capped the offensive outburst with Marques Carlson picking up his first collegiate RBI via a pinch hit single and Kenley Ackerman adding an RBI double in the bottom of the eighth inning.

On the mound, Cory Nelson pitched 8 innings, gave up three hits and improved his record to 3-0.  

"I just tried to throw fastballs for strikes, get ahead in counts and tried not to walk anybody," Nelson said. 

"Cory had a really good day today," PLU head coach Nolan Soete said. "He commanded the zone. He could have went nine innings. I just felt he had thrown enough pitches. He had a great game and that's what you need out of a guy in that position."

The Lutes fell to Whitman in game two, 4-3.

Lutes relievers Leif Hansen and Garrett Brown pitched 7.1 innings of scoreless relief to give the Lutes a chance for the doubleheader sweep. 

"We fell short," Soete said. "We got out hit in that second game, that's what I am disappointed about. Especially after putting up 17 runs in that first game. I thought we battled there at the end, but it was too little too late."  

The final game of the three game series takes place on Sunday with the first pitch is scheduled for noon.