TACOMA, Wash. - The Pacific Lutheran University baseball team fought through some rough weather conditions to pull out a victory on senior day against the visiting Boxers of Pacific University with a final score of 3-1.
The rain paid its respects to the PLU seniors today, waiting to begin until the festivities had finished prior to the start of game one before it started coming down.  Seniors Jacob Bockelie, Marques Carlson, Max Cummings, and Tanner Zuber were all recognized prior to the game for their roles on the PLU team over the years.  
While the Lutes didn't score until the 4th inning, they showed their strength early on.  In the bottom of the 1st, singles from Marques Carlson, Jacob Bockelie, and Andy Schmitz put the Lutes in a bases-loaded situation.  Unfortunately, they were unable to capitalize on them, but it foreshadowed the strength the Lutes would pull from later in the game.
The Boxers scored one run in the top of the 3rd, but weren't able to do that again for the rest of the game.  In the meantime, however, the Lutes gained momentum and started putting runs on the board.  In the bottom of the 4th, Schmitz singled to right, and a sacrifice bunt from Cam Clem drove Schmitz to second.  Tori Doten reached on an error, and a single from Dominick Zombik drove in Schmitz from second.  
In the bottom of the 5th, those at or tuned into the game were able to see Bockelie try some new things. The first-baseman, who has 9 home runs on the season thus far, showed bunt on his the first pitch from the Boxers pitcher. This out-of-character choice threw the pitcher off, and Bockelie was sent to first after being hit by a pitch on the next pitch.  In another surprise move, Bockelie stole second base, showing off on his Senior Knight. Michael Cesar came up next, and hit a streaming triple to right to drive in Bockelie.  Unfortunately, on his slide to third Cesar overshot the base and was tagged out after crossing the base, still scoring Bockelie. The Lutes came out fo the 5th inning with a 2-1 lead.
In the bottom of the 6th, Clem hit a single to right, and Doten doubled to left to advance Clem to third.  A groundout from Austin Gormley drove in Clem, putting the Lutes ahead to the 3-1 lead they would eventually win with.  
From the mound, the Lutes put forward one of their most dominant performances on the year, with Sophomore Justin Armbruester having an outstanding showing.  Pitching 7 innings, Armbruester struck out 13 batters while allowing a single run on 6 hits.  Armbruester came into the game with 83 strikeouts on the season, putting him at 8th in PLU history in terms of strikeouts per season.  By the end of the game, Armbruester had moved up to 4th in all time, with 96 strikeouts on the season.  Currently, Alum Trevor Lubking sits at both first and second in PLU history with 111 and 102 strikeouts respectively.  Armbruester sits 15 strikeouts away from tying the first-place record.
"Today was for the seniors," said Armbruester. "My attitude going into today was do what it takes to get a win for the seniors. As far as the strikeouts go... I attack hitters from pitch one... if they strikeout... great. If not... I know my defense is there to pick me up!"
In relief, Sophomore Alex Gregory pitched 2 innings for the Lutes, striking out 1 while only allowing 2 hits to record the save, putting him at 5 saves on the season.
As a whole, the Lutes paid homage to their seniors both on and off the field.
"Armbruester was electric today. He delivered when we needed him to," said Head Coach Nolan Soete. "This senior class is special. They are a very successful group. Bockelie is one of the best hitters in the country, Zuber is an absolute pleasure to coach and great teammate, Cummings truly loves the game and has had many big hits for us over the years, and Marques Carlson is a great leader and has had a great career."
While the Lutes only had the chance to play one game today before the rain hit, the remaining two games of the series have been rescheduled for Monday, April 15 at 11 a.m.