Written by Student Assistant Christian Bond

TACOMA, Wash. – Cole Johnson pitched a gem, but the Pacific Lutheran University baseball team couldn't muster any offense, falling 1-0 to Northwest Conference rival Linfield College on Sunday at PLU Field.

Johnson got the start in the final game of the three-game series on Sunday. He put together an outing worthy of a win, going 7 1/3 innings, striking out six Wildcats (10-7, 5-4 NWC), and allowing just four hits. Alex Gregory came on in relief, pitching the final 1 2/3 innings.

"I did well working down," Johnson said. "I have been getting knocked around the yard lately because the ball has been at the belt. That wasn't the case today. Matt Vick did an awesome job today behind the plate. He called a spectacular game and put down the right fingers in big situations."

Offensively, the Lutes (5-8, 3-2 NWC) out hit their opponents 7-4. Anthony Gosline went three-for-three with a walk, reaching base in every plate appearance. Connor Cantu was an excellent lead off hitter, going two-for-four with a stolen base at the top of the PLU order.

Ultimately, Linfield's Carter Buuck was too much to overcome. Buuck pitched a complete game, striking out seven batters on his way to giving his team the win.

Linfield's winning run came in the fourth inning with Alex Hendra-Brown belting a double to plate an unearned run.

"We pitched well," Head Coach Nolan Soete said. "Cole Johnson had a quality start and he put us in a good position to win. Alex Gregory did a good job in relief as well. We just couldn't put anything together offensively. Buuck threw well for Linfield and we did a poor job making in game adjustments."

PLU returns to the diamond to resume a game against University of Puget Sound that was postponed in the fifth inning on February 20. The game resumes at 3 p.m. on Wednesday.