TUCSON, Ariz. - Exploding for 13 runs over a two-inning stretch proved more than enough offense for the Pacific Lutheran University baseball team in its season opener against the University of Redlands, holding on for a 13-8 victory on Thursday at the Cactus Classic.
 
The Bulldogs (0-3) drew first blood, pushing across a run in the bottom of the first before the Lutes (1-0) piled on four runs in the third inning. A wild pitch tied the game as Tori Doten touched home plate for PLU's first run of the day before Marques Carlson drove in two on a single down the left field line. Michael Cesar drove in the inning's fourth run, giving the Lutes' the 4-1 lead.
 
The lead proved fleeting with Redlands answering with four runs of its own in the bottom of the third, taking a 5-4 lead heading into the top of the fourth. The Lute offense exploded for nine runs in the fourth with base hits from Carlson, Max Cummings, King Jimenez-Cruz, and Jacob Bockelie all plating two runs in the offensive onslaught that saw the Lutes seize a 13-5 lead.
 
Redlands added two in the bottom of the fourth and one more in the sixth but it wasn't enough as the Lutes cruised to the 13-8 victory.
 
Jimenez-Cruz finished three-for-four with three runs scored and two RBIs while Carlson finished with two hits and four RBIs. Austin Gormley, Bockelie, and Cesar also finished with multiple hits as the Lutes outslugged the Bulldogs 14-11.
 
Alex Gregory got the start on the mound and tossed the opening 3 2/3 innings, striking out two and allowing three earned runs. Jacob Mortensen tossed the final 5 1/3 innings in long relief, collecting the win and striking out four while allowing just two hits.

"Mortensen did a great job. He started out rough but was lights out the last three innings," said Head Coach Nolan Soete. "Carlson had a big day at the plate and he put together a lot of quality at bats. Jimenez-Cruz also had a big day with three hits, a stolen base, and two RBIs. We played sloppy defensively, but overall it was a good team win."
 
The Lutes are back in action tomorrow morning, facing University of La Verne at 10 a.m.