Written by Student Assistant Sarah Cornell-Maier

NEWBERG, Ore. – Justin Armbruester went the distance to notch the shutout on the mound as the Northwest Conference Champion Pacific Lutheran University baseball team wrapped up league play with a blowout 8-0 victory over host George Fox University on Monday.

Armbruester shined on the mound for the Lutes (20-12, 18-6 NWC), throwing a complete game shutout against the Bruins (18-16, 10-11 NWC). The first-year only allowed four hits, and struck out six batters without giving up any walks in the game, earning himself another win on the year.

"Guys have stepped up big time all year when their number was called upon," said Armbruester. "I just went out there and did my thing. My goal for today was to just have fun and just pitch. Overall it was an excellent day on the mound but it wouldn't have been so special if it weren't for my defense behind me and the rest of my teammates."

The first inning of the game was a chance for the Lutes to show their power as the NWC regular season champions, and they delivered with the first seven batters all getting on base. Connor Cantu and Kyle Temme each singled, and Jacob Bockelie was hit by a pitch to load the bases for Cole Johnson, who singled down the right field line to open up the scoring on the day, driving in Cantu and Temme. A subsequent single from Marques Carlson drove in Bockelie, and Max Cummings got hit by a pitch to load the bases yet again.

A walk to Tori Doten scored Johnson from third, and Matt Vick reached on a fielding error to score Carlson from third. A Cantu sacrifice fly to right scored Cummings, closing out the damage from the opening frame with the Lutes enjoying a 6-0 lead.

The middle innings of the game were fairly uneventful for both sides, with four hits happening between the teams. No runs were scored until the top of the eighth inning.

In the eighth inning, Tori Doten reached base on a fielder's choice that caught Corey Ng at second. Doten advanced to second on a wild pitch, and was brought in when Vick reached second on a fielding error from the Bruins. This brought the Lutes' lead to 7-0.

The final run of the game came on a solo home run from Johnson in the ninth inning, taking the Lutes to a final score of 8-0. Johnson headlined the game offensively, finishing with two hits and three RBIs.

The Lutes play again at California Lutheran University on April 13 and 14.