Written by Student Assistant Christian Bond

TACOMA, Wash. – The Pacific Lutheran University baseball team allowed just one run over the final six innings of Monday's matchup against the University of Puget Sound, however the Loggers exploded for nine runs over the first three innings, proving too much for the Lutes to overcome as they fell 10-8.

The Lutes (18-11, 16-5 Northwest Conference) entered the ninth inning trailing 10-5. The team loaded the bases with two outs when Anthony Gosline stepped to the plate. Gosline ripped a shot into deep right field, clearing the bases with a triple. Gosline went two-for-five with a walk, three runs batted in and a run scored.

"I knew I had to find a way to keep the game going," Gosline said. "It felt good off the bat. I was hoping the wind wouldn't affect it much. When I saw it hit the wall, I thought I'd better run faster."

The Lutes scored three runs in the sixth inning as well. Tori Doten came up with the big hit in that inning, scoring Matt Vick and Corey Ng on a double. Connor Cantu was the next batter up. Cantu came through, bringing in Doten on an RBI single. Cantu performed well at the top of the order, going three-for-six with an RBI and a run scored.

Cole Johnson got the PLU offense going in the third inning when he singled home a run. Later in the inning, Marques Carlson did the same when he singled home Jacob Bockelie. Carlson capped off an excellent weekend, going two-for-three with an RBI and two walks.

"Our guys had a lot of quality at bats today," head coach Nolan Soete said. "Eight runs is typically enough to win a game, unfortunately that wasn't the case today. UPS played well."

Alex Gregory pitched well for the Lutes in relief. Gregory scattered seven hits over his five innings of work, allowing just two earned runs. Jacob Mortenson was on the mound for the final two innings, striking out two batters while allowing one hit.

Andrew Curran got his first start of the season after making 11 relief appearances in 2018. Curran allowed the first three batters to reach base before Puget Sound's Nick Ultsch hit a grand slam. The Loggers (15-14, 9-9 NWC) never looked back.

PLU plays Occidental College in Newberg, Oregon at noon on Thursday before facing George Fox University on Saturday and Sunday at noon for the final three-game conference series of the regular season.