TACOMA, Wash. - The Pacific Lutheran University softball team went toe-to-toe with nationally-ranked Linfield College on Saturday but ultimately came up short in a Northwest Conference doubleheader at PLU Field. A play at the plate put the Lutes on the wrong side of a 7-6 scoreline in the opener before an early lead evaporated in a 14-3 setback in game two.

The 13th-ranked Wildcats (8-1-1, 6-0 NWC) wasted little time getting on the board in the opener, posting four runs in the first inning before adding three more in the fourth. PLU's offensive came alive in the bottom of the fourth with Erin McGrath blasting a three-run home run. The Lutes (11-6, 3-3 NWC) tacked on two more in the fifth, getting RBIs from both Kathryn Hatlen and Kennedy Robillard, closing the gap to 7-5.

Mari Foster led off the seventh with a pinch hit double before a Kathryn Hatlen sacrifice fly plated Sydney Victor who pinch ran for Foster to close the gap to just one run. Anna Overland blasted a two-out single but a Lute baserunner was thrown out at the plate for the final out, giving Linfield the 7-6 win.

The Lutes cranked out 10 hits with Chaella Galapon finishing three-for-four at the plate. McGrath finished with three RBIs while Hatlen had two hits and two RBIs.

Robillard struck out five inside the circle while allowing no walks in the complete game effort.

Galapon opened game two with a solo home run in the first inning before Linfield answered with a run of its own in the second. A Becca Sorensen sacrifice bunt scored Overland in the second before a Bailey Plumb sac fly gave the host Lutes a 3-1 advantage. The Lute lead proved fleeting with Linfield racking up three runs in the third, seven in the fourth, and three in the fifth to secure the day one sweep.

"Definitely happy that we kept things simple to compete in game one, said Traci Barrett. "Chaella had a great day at the plate. When she had to come out of game two we definitely felt the impact. This game can be tough when you make moments bigger than they are. No question Linfield is a good team but we can't wait to see what we can do tomorrow to finish the series."

The Lutes and Wildcats cap off the series tomorrow with another twinbill beginning at 12 p.m.