Written by Student Assistant Jake Bilyeu

AUBURN, Wash. – The Pacific Lutheran University softball team opened its final week of the season with a dominant display against rival University of Puget Sound, winning their first game 15-2, and opening the second game on a 13-1 run before play was suspended in the third inning.

"For the first time this season we put all three sides of the ball together," head coach Brandi Gordon Bennett said.

The Lutes (13-22, 8-17 Northwest Conference) scored the first six runs of the first game, as Kathryn Hatlen and Samantha Simundson each provided an RBI in the first inning. A single from Bailey Plumb added another run to the Lute's lead, and then Kennedy Robillard doubled to send two more runs home. Hatlen then drove in her second run of the day on a sacrifice fly to cap off the team's scoring run.

The Loggers (9-23-1, 7-16 NWC) responded with two runs in the third, but the Lutes kept pushing, relentlessly adding to their lead. Hatlen drove in two more runs on a single, and Elise Freund sent in a run as well in the fourth.

Hatlen added her fifth RBI of the day on a walk in the fifth inning before a wild pitch scored yet another run. Anna Lennox provided the final blow with a three RBI double to push the Lute lead to 13. After the Lutes held off the Loggers one last time, the game was called after five innings.

"Firing on all cylinders makes us a tough team to beat," Gordon Bennett said.

The Lutes got off to an even hotter start in the second game, taking a 13-1 lead before it was postponed in the third inning. That game will resume at 11 a.m. at PLU Field before facing the Loggers in a regular doubleheader to close out the season.

The Lutes hope to continue with their stellar play as of late on Sunday as they aim to finish the season in style.

"It's really exciting to see our team play together and have fun here at the end of the year," Gordon Bennett said. "I look forward to our team challenging UPS again tomorrow and sending our seniors out with a great memory."