FOREST GROVE, Ore. – The Pacific Lutheran University softball team suffered a pair of setbacks to No. 25 Pacific on Sunday, falling 8-9 in the opener before the comeback bid fell short in game to an 8-7 decision against the Northwest Conference rivals.
"Considering Pacific is ranked No. 25 in NCAA Division III and we both put 31 runs across the plate, offensively we did a great job this weekend," said Head Coach
Traci Barrett. "Although it hurts to lose games in the final inning, we never stopped fighting.
Kennedy Robillard,
Kathryn Hatlen, and Sam Simundson did a great job getting on base today.
Anna Overland,
Becca Sorensen, and
Bailey Plumb came through in many clutch moments on offense and defense."
The Lutes (12-11, 4-8 NWC) fell into a hole early with Pacific (17-6, 11-1 NWC) scoring six runs in the first inning, but battled back starting in the third inning. A double from
Anna Overland and double from Kathryn Kathlenstarted a four run inning. The scoring continued with a double from
Kathryn Hatlen and a single from
Mari Foster. An error allowed Erin NcGrath to reach first, bringing in the fourth run.
The Lutes added two more in the fourth and sixth to take an 8-7 lead, but a single and deep pop gave Pacific the win. Robillard allowed six earned runs and struckout two.
Game two was a back and forth battle, with the winning run coming across at the end of the seventh inning.
Kathryn Hatlen led the Lutes going two-for-four and scoring two runs.
Becca Sorensen was two-for-three on the game.
"I have no doubt that the hard work we are putting in defensively will start to show itself in the game in pressure situations soon. Every player is competing all week for their opportunities and they have done an incredible job making on another better every week."
"We had some unfortunate turns of momentum with base running and my own coaching error, but I feel blessed to coach such a special group of young ladies and work with an incredible coaching staff. Our team knows what it takes to be successful, and they are putting in the work to get there."
The Lutes host two home games on Tuesday, March 26 at home during spring break and resume conference play on Saturday, March 30 with Whitworth in Tacoma.
