TACOMA, Wash. - It came down to the wire on Tuesday afternoon but in the end the Pacific Lutheran University baseball team was able to close it out, collecting a 5-4 victory over crosstown nemesis University of Puget Sound in a non-conference showdown at PLU Field.

The Lutes (7-4) showcased some different faces in their starting lineup, including junior Cameron Clem and first-year Tommy Snyder, both of whom came in clutch during high-pressure parts of the game.

In the bottom of the second inning, the Lutes took advantage of a few key errors by the Loggers (2-8) to put their first run on the board.  Andy Schmitz reached first base on a fielding error, and made his way to second on a strong jump and a wild pitch.  Clem came in and smashed a double to left field, and then advanced to third on a fielding error, driving Schmitz in to score.  

The Loggers responded by putting two on the scoreboard in the top of the third inning, and it stayed 2-1 in favor of the Loggers until the bottom of the sixth inning.

Jacob Bockelie was walked, and a Marques Carlson single drove Bockelie to third. Schmitz was hit by a pitch to load the bases, and a sacrifice fly from Snyder drove in Bockelie to tie up the game. A sacrifice fly from Clem the next at-bat drove in Carlson, taking the score to 3-2 in favor of the Lutes.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, consecutive singles from Tori Doten and Austin Gormley, followed by a Jordan Haworth walk, loaded the bases for Bockelie, who was then walked to score Doten from third. Carlson then grounded into a double play, but it still scored Gormley from third to take the Lutes to a 5-2 lead. The Loggers scored two more runs over the next two innings and had the potential winning run at the plate before Andrew Curran notched a strikeout to collect the save and give the Lutes the 5-4 win.

One highlight from the game was the Lute bullpen. Starting pitcher Matt Franceschina pitched three innings, striking out five batters and only allowing two runs. Junior Janson Pederson came on in relief, throwing three innings with five strikeouts and no runs, earning the win for the Lutes.  Jack Hannah and Andrew Curran worked to finish the game out, striking out three.

"I think we have a solid pitching staff," said Pederson. "We have a good mix of young and veteran arms. I'm just trying to stay prepared for when my number gets called and I look forward to each opportunity I get. Pitching and defense win championships and our depth in the bullpen and starting pitching are a huge asset for us."

Head Coach Nolan Soete brought out a lot of depth from the dugout and the bullpen, and it paid off.

"Cam Clem and Tommy earned a start today and they both did a nice job," said Soete. "Clem really has some nice at bats. Schmitz is a gamer and is willing to play anywhere on the field. We pitched well today. Franceschina, Pederson, Hannah, and Curran did a great job."

The Lutes are back on the diamond on Saturday, facing College of Idaho in a road doubleheader.