Box Score SPOKANE – Five runs in the bottom of the seventh inning helped catapult the Pacific Lutheran baseball team to a 8-6 win over California Lutheran in the NCAA Division III West Region at Avista Stadium.
"It was a wild one," said Nolan Soete, PLU head coach. "We went down really quick and went to Garrett really early. But I never felt we were ever out of this game. I knew bringing in Brown he would keep us right in it and I felt like we are good enough offensively to put together a rally."
Cole Johnson started for the Lutes (27-18) on the mound, but gave up five runs to Cal Lu (31-13) in two innings of work. Enter All- Northwest Conference First Team relief pitcher Garrett Brown who shut down the Kingsmen offense only allowing three hits and one run over seven innings of work.
"Garrett held us and kept us in the game on the bump," added Soete. "As far as pitching, Brown is probably the main reason why we are here. He has pitched in every important game for us this year."
"I typically don't come in so early in games, but I knew this was a win or go home game so I was ready to come in whenever," said Brown. "We grinded and chipped away and then had the huge 7th inning. My goal was to keep the team in the game."
Offensively, the Lutes' Tyler Thompson hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the fifth to shift the momentum.
"We have been in these situations before so we knew we just had to stay with it and chip away," said Thompson. "We got the lead with runs here and there and getting a win against a great Cal Lutheran team is a awesome. We play our best when the season is on the line so I know we will all come out and play hard. It's going to continue to be fun."
The five-run seventh inning started with a Ben Welch single, but the big hit was a bases –loaded double by junior Kory VanderStaay to right-center field to bring in three runs and give the Lutes the lead. Frank Airey added one more on a RBI single to make the score 8-6.
"It felt great to be able to come through for my team," added VanderStaay. "They did a great job grinding out the at bats and finding a way to get on base to make the situation possible."
"Combing back and winning was huge and I am so happy this season is still alive," added Brown. "We are going to ride this momentum into tomorrow and give it our all."
ON TAP FOR THE LUTES…
The Lutes will play the loser of game 6 between UT-Tyler and Whitworth tomorrow at approximately 3:15 p.m. For up to date information and links to live video and statistics, check GoLutes.com.
"Nobody is ready for the year to end yet," added VanderStaay. "It meant a lot to be able to give the seniors some additional games with us."
