SALEM, Ore. - Needing a doubleheader sweep to qualify for the Northwest Conference Tournament, the Pacific Lutheran University baseball team did just that, collecting two wins over host Willamette University on Saturday to wrap up the NWC regular season. The Lutes bested the Bearcats 11-6 in the opener for Head Coach Nolan Soete's milestone 100th career victory before punching a spot in the tourney with a 6-1 in game two.

The Lutes started the day strong with a lead off single from Tori Doten, who then stole second base to put himself in scoring position. A single from Marques Carlson moved Doten to third, and a single from Jacob Bockelie scored the first run of the day. Austin Gormley was hit by a pitch to load the bases, and a double from Max Cummings drove in all the base runners, putting the Lutes ahead 4-0 at the end of the first inning.

In the top of the third inning, the Lutes added to their lead, with a Carlson single followed by a Bockelie home run adding two, putting the Lutes up 6-0. The home run from Bockelie puts him one behind the PLU record for most home runs in a career. Another home run from Cummings tacked on another run to the PLU lead, for the 7-0 advantage.

"The home run record is something that would be awesome to break, but it's not the first thing on my mind," said Bockelie. "I go out every day and try to do my best to help the team win, whether if it's offensively or defensively."

The Bearcats got two back in the bottom of the third, but PLU gained another run after Gormley was hit by a pitch and Cameron Clem reached on an error that drove in Gormley.

Willamette scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, but in the top of the eighth King Jimenez-Cruz and Jordan Haworth each singled, and a walk to Doten loaded the bases.  Connor Lemma reached first on a fielders choice that was supposed to get Jimenez-Cruz out at home, but there was an error and he was able to score successfully.

After that play, Carlson grounded into a double play, but it was enough to drive Haworth in to score. Bockelie received an intentional walk, and a double from Michael Cesar drove in Doten to take the Lutes to an 11-5. While Willamette gained one back in the bottom of the eighth it wasn't enough to overcome the Lutes, and PLU came out on top with a final score of 11-6.

From the mound, starter Justin Tucker went 6 1/3 innings for the Lutes, allowing four runs on seven hits while obtaining four strikeouts. Andrew Curran came in to relieve Tucker, pitching an inning, striking out one batter. Jacob Mortensen came in to close the game, pitching 1 2/3 innings, allowing only two hits and no runs to maintain the PLU lead.

Game two was yet another dramatic showing, with the Lutes taking a 6-1 victory to claim the series win.

The game started out fairly balanced- the Lutes scored a run in the top of the second inning off of a solo home run from Michael Cesar. However, Willamette hit back right away, scoring one of their own in the bottom of the second.

In the top of the sixth, consecutive singles from Doten and Andy Schmitz put batters on, and Bockelie reached on an error to load the bases for the Lutes. A groundout from Cesar drove in Doten, and a double from Gormley scored Schmitz and Bockelie, putting the Lutes ahead 4-0.

In the top of the ninth inning, the Lutes decided to end the regular season NWC slate  with a bang, as Gormley was walked to put a player on for Haworth, who smashed a home run to left to put the Lutes ahead 6-1, the score they would eventually win by.

From the mound, the Lutes were dominant throughout the game. Starter Tommy Snyder allowed only three hits and one run over eight innings of work, striking out three batters over that time. Jacob Mortensen came in to get two outs in the ninth, and Justin Armbruester came in to secure the final out of the game via strikeout, adding yet another to his formidable season tally of 106 strikeouts.

"Today was amazing," said Bockelie. "Taking two from a very tough team in Willamette at their house makes it even better. We've had a lot of history with them in the past and it just makes these wins even sweeter."

The Lutes needed to win both games on Sunday in order to advance to the Northwest Conference Tournament, and they did just that.

"We had a huge day today," said Head Coach Nolan Soete. "There were great performances by two freshmen on the mound. Justin Tucker threw well in the first game and Tommy Snyder was lights out in game two. We played great defense today and had a lot of big hits. I'm so proud of this team. They earned their way in to the tournament and they played excellent under pressure."

In addition to the team success on the day, Soete secured his 100th career win as coach of the PLU team in Game 1, setting a milestone for himself and the team.

"The 100th win means that I have been fortunate enough to coach great players and I have surrounded myself with great assistant coaches. Go Lutes!"

The Lutes will now be preparing for the NWC Tournament on April 26-28. For the first game of the tournament, the Lutes take on number 1 seeded Whitworth University at 12 p.m. on Friday, April 26.