Written by Student Assistant Christian Bond

NEWBERG, Ore. – A power surge from the Pacific Lutheran University baseball team led to an 18-8 drubbing of Northwest Conference rival Lewis & Clark College on Sunday afternoon.

As a team, the Lutes (4-6, 2-0 NWC) banged out 19 hits against the Pioneers (1-12, 0-5 NWC). Five different PLU players had multiple hits on the day. Of those 19 hits, four were for extra bases. Anthony Gosline checked in with a pair of doubles in a three-hit game. Even more impressive, were the seven runs driven in by the senior infielder.

"Made an adjustment after the first game and looked for pitches to drive early in the count," Gosline said. "We were aggressive as a team and constantly on base which gave us good opportunity to score every inning."

Several Lutes had huge days offensively. Austin Gormley had three knocks in six at bats. The shortstop drove in three runs for the Lutes. Marques Carlson was a monster at the plate. The O'Dea High School graduate went four-for-six with a double and two RBIs. Carlson scored three times for the Lutes.

Cole Johnson started the game at first base before being replaced by Armond Swanson in the third inning, and drove in two runs on a single to right field. Swanson had an RBI in the top of the fifth. Between Johnson and Swanson, PLU first baseman scored five runs for the Lutes.

The PLU offense was electric on Sunday and had a chance to do even more damage, leaving 12 runners on base.

"The offense was very productive today," Head Coach Nolan Soete said. "We had 19 hits today. Gosline had a huge day with seven runs batted in. Carlson and Jacob Bockelie also had a lot of quality at bats."

Justin Armbruester started on the mound, giving up two hits and striking out one in 1 1/3 innings of work. Jacob Mortensen did most of the heavy lifting on the mound for PLU. Mortensen spread five hits over 25 batters faced in six innings, while striking out two.

"Mortensen did an excellent job in relief. He came in and really took control of the game," Soete said.

Game three of the series was postponed due to inclement weather, A makeup date has not been set.

PLU returns home for a three-game series against Linfield College that starts on Saturday with a doubleheader at 11 a.m. The series closes on Sunday with a single game at noon.