TACOMA – PLU Softball wrapped up its 2016 regular season Sunday afternoon with a doubleheader sweep against Puget Sound. The two wins gave the Lutes an even 14-14 conference record for the season, as well as an overall record of 22-16.
"Anytime you can win a series you have to feel pretty darn good," said head coach Lance Glasoe. "UPS played really well all weekend, and thankfully we got some clutch hitting and dominant pitching when we needed it."
Kathryn Hatlen gave the Lutes a 1-0 lead in the top of the first with a single that sent Emily McConnell home. While the Lutes left two runners on base, they wouldn't need much run support in the first game, as the defense was able to control the pace much like Saturday's second game.
A Logger throwing error in the top of the fourth gave the Lutes a 2-0 lead. UPS responded in the bottom to pull within a run, but they would never get closer, as Nichole Schroeder scored on a fielder's choice in the fifth to give the Lutes a 3-1 lead, and ultimately the win.
"It was great to have our seniors Kelli and Alison contribute all weekend," Glasoe said. "Nichole and Kathryn did a great job all weekend, too, providing key RBIs."
Nichole Schroeder opened the second game with a home run in the top of the first inning to give the Lutes a 1-0 lead. The Loggers then finally solved the Lute defense for two runs in the second. Kathryn Hatlen evened things up in the third, but the Loggers then regained the lead with a homer in the fourth.
Kelli Crawford tied the game again in the top of the sixth with a two-out single, but UPS fired back with an impressive sixth inning. The Loggers scored three runs on a throwing error and a single to go up 6-3 heading into the final inning.
The Lutes weren't willing to end their season on a loss, though. Becca Sorensen, Emily McConnell, and Nichole Schroeder loaded the bases, and Kathryn Hatlen delivered on a grand slam that gave the Lutes a 7-6 lead. The Lutes then retired three straight runners in the bottom of the seventh to finish the season with three straight wins.
"It was really good to have such success today," Hatlen said. "The team was behind me every at bat, and with the coaches' confidence in me, I felt like I could do anything."
NOTABLES…
The Lutes have several players in the NWC statistical leaders. Nichole Schroeder is fourth in batting average at .491 for the season, and fifth in runs batted in at 31.
Kathryan Hatlen finishes her freshman season with eight home runs, fourth in the conference, and 40 runs batted in, good for second.
Emily McConnell is third in stolen bases with 17.
