TACOMA, Wash. - A sluggish start to both ends of a doubleheader ultimately derailed the Pacific Lutheran University softball team on Sunday afternoon, falling 7-3 and 11-2 to 13th-ranked Linfield College. 

The 13th-ranked Wildcats (10-1-1, 8-0 Northwest Conference) drew first blood in the opener, jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning before pushing across single runs in both the second and third innings. Linfield's advantage swelled to 7-0 after adding two more in the fifth. 

The Lutes (11-8, 3-5 NWC) battled back in the sixth inning with an Erin McGrath double scoring both Anna Overland and Kennedy Robillard before a Nicole Manuel sacrifice fly scored McGrath in what proved to be the final run of the game. 

The Lutes and Wildcats each finished with nine hits with Kathryn Hatlen, Overland, and McGrath all finishing with a pair of hits for the Lutes. PLU's downfall came from missed opportunities, stranding eight runners on base throughout the contest. 

Robillard pitched the final 6 1/3 innings, striking out two and allowing three earned runs.

The Wildcats struck first in the nightcap as well, staking a 4-0 advantage heading into the bottom of the second, A Nanea Kalama double brought in Erin McGrath for the Lutes first run in the bottom of the second but Linfield answered with another run in the third and six in the fourth. Robillard drove in pinch-runner Raynna Mekaru in the fourth but PLU could muster no more runs, falling 11-2 in the game shortened to five innings.

Robillard, Z Ellis, and Marley Dyer all saw time inside the circle. Ellis racked up three strikeouts while Dyer retired all three batters she faced in the fourth inning. 

"I think we definitely learned a lot this weekend," said Head Coach Traci Barrett. "We proved in game one on Saturday that we can compete with a very good team regardless if they get on the scoreboard quickly. That is what we have to take away from this weekend. As long as we focus on putting the little things together and slowing the game down, we're going to continue to compete. I'm excited with the team we have and can't wait to get better with them this week. Individually, Kennedy showed a lot of poise and command in the circle as did Erin McGrath at the plate."

The Lutes hit the road next weekend, trekking to Forest Grove, Oregon for a four-game series against Pacific University.