Written by Student Assistant Christian Bond

FOREST GROVE, Ore. - Offense was key for the Pacific Lutheran University baseball team on Saturday, as they scored 18 runs on 26 hits in two games, beating Linfield College 8-5, then Pacific University 10-1.  

The Lutes (25-13) trailed 5-4 entering the top of the ninth inning against Linfield (29-12). The four-run rally started when Ben Welch drove in Cory Ng. Connor Cantu scored on a passed ball during a Tanner Williams walk, giving the Lutes a 6-5 lead. Welch and Williams scored, growing the Lutes led. Cole Johnson capped the rally with a single up the middle that scored Kory Vanderstaay. Johnson finished the day going two-for-four with two RBIs.

Anthony Gosline had a strong offensive performance for PLU and did a little bit of everything, going one-for-three with a double and two RBIs. Gosline laid down a sacrifice, and drove in a run on sacrifice fly.

Jacob Gleichman got the start on the mound, going seven innings and striking out two. He walked two, allowed seven hits, and five runs. Lee Larson came on in relief, facing four batters and striking out two. Andrew Curran picked up the win on the mound. Chad Gideon faced two batters, getting the final two outs of the game.

Johnson continued to roll at the plate in game two against Pacific (13-23), hitting a two-run home run in the first inning. He would drive in another run in his next at bat in the third. He finished the game two by going three-for-five.

"I felt pretty good today!," said Johnson. "I saw a couple of pitches up in the zone and I threw the barrel. I'm just glad that I could help us in these games."

The Lutes held a 5-1 lead entering the eighth inning before the offense exploded for five runs. It began when VanderStaay drove in Gosline. Bockelie scored on a fielding error committed by the Boxers and Cantu finished the inning with a two run single.

Chad Gideon did his part on the mound. He threw a sparkling eight innings, striking out seven hitters in 94 pitchers, 58 of which were strikes. He forced seven flyouts, and induced nine groundouts.

The Lutes finish a busy weekend with a single game against Pacific tomorrow at noon.