LOS ANGELES, Calif. - The Pacific Lutheran University softball team opened up its California trip with a bang, steamrolling Occidental College 9-0 in the opener before rallying for the 4-3 win in game two to secure the doubleheader sweep.

"We played together as a team today, both offensively and defensively," said Head Coach Traci Barrett. "Our main focus was to start every inning with getting the lead runner on. That was one of the main factors in our success today and we continually lean on each other and look to the next pitch."

Kennedy Robillard tossed a three-hit shutout in the opener as the Lutes (5-3) piled on the runs in the mercy rule victory. The game was scoreless until the third inning when an Anna Overland sacrifice fly scored Becca Sorensen. The Lutes added two more in the fourth, getting RBI doubles from both Marley Dyer and Kathryn Hatlen before PLU exploded for six runs in the fifth inning to enact the mercy rule.

Dyer drew a bases loaded walk to scored Chaella Galapon for the inning's first run before Corina Jones and Sorensen both collected RBI singles. Hatlen brought in two on a single to right field before a Mari Foster sac fly scored Sorensen to conclude the scoring.

Hatlen was on fire in game one, finishing four-for-four at the plate with three RBIs while Sorensen was three-for-three while scoring twice.

Robillard pitched all five innings, allowing just four on base and striking out two.

"Kennedy commanded the zone very well today and looked strong. The defense behind her was dialed in, including a great diving play by Sydney Victor."

The homestanding Tigers (0-2) drew first blood in the nightcap with Bailey Stevens hitting a two-run home run in the second and a solo home run in the fifth.

The Lutes tied the game with one stroke of the bat with Samantha Simundson blasting a three-run home run in the sixth, scoring Nicole Manuel and Erin McGrath. Hatlen capitalized on a Tiger miscue in the seventh inning, scoring an unearned run on an error in what proved to be the decisive run.

Dyer finished two-for-three at the plate for the Lutes and was one of seven PLU players to record a hit in the game.

Z Ellis collected the win inside the circle, pitching all seven innings and striking out four.

"Z came through in game two with next pitch outs after both big hits against her. Sam came up big with Erin and Nicole on base with two outs but I'm most proud of the way our team rallied through 11 hours of travel to arrive in SoCal at 4 a.m. and mentally put together a solid 12 innings."

The Lutes are back in action tomorrow with a doubleheader against Whittier College at 11 a.m.