TACOMA, Wash. - The Pacific Lutheran University softball team gears up for its first Northwest Conference home games of the season, hosting a four-game series against 13th-ranked Linfield College on Saturday and Sunday.
Last weekend the Lutes (11-4, 3-1 NWC) opened up conference play down in Portland against Lewis & Clark College winning three games and the series. The Lutes took the first game 11-2 before falling 6-3 in the second game of the Saturday doubleheader. On Sunday the Lutes won the both games, 10-4 and 10-7.
This was a very successful first conference series for the Lutes, with the team really bringing the bats with them down to Portland.
"The biggest thing we learned this week was how important the next pitch is," said senior
Anna Overland. "During the second game things got away from us. We realized the impact of always looking for the next out or the next opportunity to score a run. We took that learning opportunity into Sunday and it showed. It takes all 21 of us to win a game not just the starting nine."
The Lutes hope such a strong start to the season will continue as conference play continues.
"As soon as the fourth game was over on Sunday, we were already looking to our next match up. The Lewis & Clark series is in the past and we have a lot to work on this week. We had multiple learning moments in those games to build on and we saw a glimpse of our potential as a team. Like coach reminds us, focus on the next pitch."
As a senior, Overland has many great memories over her PLU career which she will take with her the rest of her life.
"I'd have to say the experience of traveling as a college team is one of my favorite college memories. I can't tell you how many times we get asked at the airport where we are from and what sport we play. I'm proud to say I'm from PLU and have the opportunity to play the sport I love competitively and on top of that, I've built so many friendships that will last a lifetime."
As Overland is entering her last season as a Lute, she is also working hard in the classroom to get everything in order for graduation.
"I'm a nursing major with a minor in psychology. I will be graduating this winter, and it couldn't come soon enough! My post grad plans aren't set in stone, but I will take my boards to get my license, and I hope to find a residency program either in pediatric medical/surgical floor, labor and delivery, or the NICU. Either way, I'm excited to start practicing! My interest in this field stems from the fact that I have a lot of nurses in the family, and I've always knew I wanted to help others, so I figured nursing was the perfect profession for me."
Although Overland is very busy with academics and athletics, she tries to find the time to enjoy other hobbies.
"Finding the time to enjoy hobbies is the hardest part, but I love to be outside and enjoying the sunshine at our family cabin on Mason Lake. I enjoy water and snow skiing, along with cruising in our two hot rods, a 1966 Chevy truck and a 1936 ford pickup. Above anything else though, I absolutely love being around my family and friends."
With the season well under way, Overland and the team are very excited for how the season will play out and the possibilities it may bring.
"I greatly look forward to seeing where our team ends up this year. We have a lot of potential and dedication throughout our team. Compared to my last three years, the feel is very different. I'm not really able to describe it, but it's a good feeling. Not only do we all play well together, but we all enjoy each other's company off the field as well."
March 9: PLU vs. Linfield (DH) at PLU Field (12 p.m.)
March 10: PLU vs. Linfield (DH) at PLU Field (12 p.m.)
Series History: The Lutes and Wildcats have met 138 times since the 1981 season with the series tilted 77-61 in favor of PLU. Last season Linfield got the upper hand, winning all four games.
About the Wildcats: 13th-ranked Linfield (6-1-1, 4-0 NWC) heads to PLU Field with a six game win streak.
The Wildcats opened the season with a 7-3 setback and a rare 7-7 tie against Pomona-Pitzer Colleges on Feb. 22 but have been unstoppable since, pummeling Occidental College 10-1 and 18-3 two days later before securing a four-game sweep last weekend at the expense of the University of Puget Sound. The Wildcats poured on 39 runs over the four-game series while limiting the Loggers to just three runs during that stretch.
Makenna Clizer leads the Wildcats at the plate with a .583 batting average and 17 RBIs. Kelsey Wilkinson boasts a .500 average while Darian Stedman has driven in 15 runs with a .481 average. Shelby Saylors leads the team inside the circle with 18 strikeouts in 25 1/3 innings of work with a 1.38 earned run average.
