Written by Student Assistant Jake Bilyeu

SALEM, Ore. – The Pacific Lutheran University softball team returned to the win column on Saturday, earning a doubleheader sweep of Willamette University, besting the hosts 4-2 and 12-4. The Lutes pulled off arguably their most complete performances of the season, and now they hope to carry that momentum back home for their homestand against George Fox University next weekend.

"It feels good to get the monkey off our back," head coach Brandi Gordon Bennett said. "We have a great team and we haven't been able to play a solid full game to make wins happen and we did that twice today."

The Lute offense took some time to get going in their first game, but when it did, the hits came in spades. The Bearcats (5-20, 5-13 Northwest Conference) struck first in the fourth inning by putting two runs up on the board.

Then, with two outs, a runner on third, and their backs against the wall, the Lutes (10-20, 5-15 NWC) scored their first run in the seventh inning as Anna Lennox reached home on a throwing error. After Becca Sorensen was walked, Anna Overland singled to left to send Bailey Plumb home and tie the game.

After tying the game, the Lutes still wouldn't relent. Another walk set up Kathryn Hatlen with loaded bases, and she delivered a two RBI hit to score Overland and Sorensen. Hatlen's hit gave the Lutes a 4-2 lead, and the Lute defense held off the Bearcats in the bottom of the inning to secure the win.

Marissa Miller struck out five and allowed just four hits to collect the complete game win while Plumb, Sorensen, and Kennedy Rolliard all finished with two hits.

Feeding off of the excitement of the win, the Lute offense came out roaring to open their second contest. After an RBI each from Overland and Kennedy Robillard, Anna Lennox delivered a three-run home run to give the Lutes a 5-0 lead on the first inning.

The Lutes added two runs on a wild pitch and a fielder's choice in the next inning, and Becca Sorensen added two more on a single in the third inning to push the lead to 9-0. After a four-run push from the Bearcats, a single from Anna Lennox pushed the lead to 10-4.

Finally, a sacrifice fly on the sixth inning allowed Kennedy Robillard to score, and a single from Elise Freund sent Kathryn Hatlen home to push the lead to 12-4. After a scoreless inning from the Bearcats, the game was called after six innings, enacting the mercy rule.

Miller tossed three innings of game two, striking out three and collecting the win while Robillard allowed just two hits in three innings of work. At the plate, Plumb continued to be hot, going three-for-four and scoring two runs.

"We did a great job of playing as a team today. It was fun to see the team let loose and play for each other," Gordon Bennett said. "Our bats took care of business today. Marissa and Kennedy kept their hitters guessing, they pitched well."

The Lutes host George Fox on Saturday in a doubleheader beginning at 12 p.m.