Written by Student Assistant Jake Bilyeu

REDLANDS, Calif. – The Pacific Lutheran University softball team responded to a difficult opening day with two wins in a doubleheader for a sweep of University of Redlands Sunday afternoon to close out the Lutes' season opening California trip. Two standout pitching performances from Marissa Miller and Kennedy Robillard led the Lutes to victory, winning game one 4-1 and the nightcap 2-1.

"The team played much more cohesive today and the hard-hit balls that went right to people yesterday fell in gaps today," head coach Brandi Gordon Bennett said. "Our pitchers both threw great games keeping hitters on their toes to put us in a position to win."

In the first game, the Lutes (2-2) got all of the offense that they would need in the first inning, as a single from Kathryn Hatlen provided two early runs. Then, in the fourth inning, Gabriella Moreno and Jessica Alcomendas scored on a throwing error and a fielder's choice from the Bulldogs put the Lutes up 4-0. A late run from Redlands did little to tarnish Marissa Miller's day on the mound. Miller earned eight strikeouts while allowing seven hits, and three walks in a complete game.

Kennedy Robillard followed up Miller's performance with a nearly equaled complete game of her own. Robillard earned two strikeouts while giving up zero walks, seven hits, and one run. That run came in the first inning, but the Lute offense responded in the fifth. Bailey Plumb scored on a fielder's choice to tie the game, and then Moreno scored her second run of the day, and ultimately the winning run on a sacrifice fly. Robillard and the Lute defense shut Redlands down from there to secure the 2-1 win and sweep the day.

"Today felt like our players were less nervous, playing with more of a get after it mentality as opposed to our cautions play at times yesterday," Gordon-Bennett said.

The Lutes now have two weeks to prepare for their next matchup at Division II Saint Martin's University before beginning Northwest Conference play the following week.