TACOMA, Wash. - The Pacific Lutheran University softball team is back on the road this weekend, heading south to California to face-off Occidental College on Saturday and Whittier College on Sunday.
 
Last week, the Lutes (3-3) had a busy schedule down in Texas playing six games in a span of three days. They defeated Trinity University 5-0 and 14-8 in a doubleheader, fell to Southwestern University 7-6 and 8-5, and split the series with Concordia University Texas winning 5-2 before falling 11-7.
 
This trip to Texas was a great experience for the team and a good building block to grow as a team. 
 
"Our team has spent a lot of time together leading up to Texas, but it was a great experience to finally be on the field and in the dugout together," said senior Bailey Plumb. "California will be a great experience to get to know each other even better and progress on the field as well. Even though half of our team are first-years or transfers, we all get along great and know that we can depend on each other on and off the field. Our first-year players are making a big impact no matter what their role is."
 
Plumb is entering her final semester as a Lute and plans on receiving her degree in kinesiology health and fitness education. 
 
"I'm currently student teaching which is tough while in season, but I plan to search for a health and P.E. job within the area for next fall. I've always wanted to teach but didn't quite know what until a former teammate mentioned this major that PLU offered. I think it's imperative that kids grow up being active and knowing how to pursue a healthy lifestyle."
 
Plumb is also very active in PLU outside of class and softball. "I do a lot of photography, sports being my favorite. I also am an assistant coach for an 18U select travel softball team which is something I plan to continue doing. I love being able to share my love for the game and help the girls get prepared for college ball."
 
Being a part of the PLU softball team is something that Plumb will always cherish, as she enters her final season with the team. 
 
"My favorite part of this team is being able to have fun together but also grow and better ourselves every single day. We hold each other accountable and expect great things from each other because we all see the potential this group has."
 
The team is looking forward to progressing as a team through this trip to California. The team will face off against Occidental College on Saturday at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. in Los Angeles, before battling Whittier College on Sunday at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. in Whittier.
 
Feb. 9: PLU vs. Occidental in Los Angeles, California (12 PM)
 
Series History: The Lutes and Tigers have met just one other time, back in 2002, with PLU smashing Occidental 13-0 as part of a 34-game win streak to open the season. The Lutes would go on to win Northwest Conference and West Region Championships before placing fourth at the NCAA Division III World Series. 
 
About the Tigers: Occidental is gearing up for its season opener against the Lutes after finishing the 2018 campaign with a 12-25-1 overall record and a 7-21 mark in Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play.
 
Cora Roberts is the top returner at the plate, boasting a .305 batting average last season while Bailey Stevens hit .293 with eight extra base hits. Madison Romero is the top run producer after driving in 26 runs last season and scoring 19 more.
 
In the circle, Alexis Funaki returns after pitching 105 2/3 innings last season with a 4.77 earned run average. Funaki tossed eight complete games while striking out 51. 
 
Feb. 10: PLU vs. Whittier in Whittier, California (11 a.m.)
 
Series History: The Lutes and Poets have met six times on the diamond with the series tied 3-3. The two squads last met during the 2010 campaign with Whittier defeating the Lutes 10-9 in the season opener. 
 
About the Poets: Whittier heads into the season after wrapping up 2018 with a 25-16-1 record and an 18-10 mark in SCIAC play. 
 
Brittany Attaway is the Poets' top returning hitter, finishing the 2018 season with a .487 batting average with 35 RBIs and 18 extra base hits. Kacey Whitney boasts a .430 average wgile scoring 28 runs while Hayley Wishner boasted a .340 average.
 
Inside the circle, Sam Casanas returns have pitching 118 1/3 innings, striking out 42 with a 3.79 ERA. Casanas tossed 12 complete games and racked up eight wins and five saves.