TACOMA, Wash. - The Pacific Lutheran University baseball team came out victorious in their annual non-conference showdown against crosstown rivals University of Puget Sound, prevailing 7-3 at Cheney Stadium, home of the AAA Tacoma Rainiers.

In the first inning, the Lutes (23-16) asserted their dominance by scoring early, with singles from Tori Doten and Andy Schmitz putting runners on base. A walk to Jacob Bockelie loaded the bases, and an error on UPS scored two PLU runners, opening up the score line for the Lutes with a 2-0 lead.

In the top of the second, the Lutes added onto their lead with a single from Jordan Haworth putting a man on. Jack Robinette was hit by a pitch, and was called out on a steal attempt that drove Haworth to third. A single from Doten scored Haworth, putting the Lutes ahead 3-0 at the end of the 2nd.

The Lutes scored again in the third, with Schmitz advancing to third after being hit by a pitch, advanced on a popup from Bockelie, and moving on a passed ball. A single from Max Cummings drove Schmitz in to score, putting the Lutes ahead 4-0.

The Loggers scored a run in the bottom of the 4th, but the Lutes struck back in the top of the 5th, when Bockelie was walked, stole second, and was driven home by Cummings to increase the PLU lead to 5-1.

UPS scored 2 more runs in the 5th, but the Lutes held them to 3 runs on the day. PLU scored one in the top of the 7th, as Bockelie was walked and stole second, driven in to score on another single from Cummings to put the Lutes up 6-3.

A walk to Corey Ng in the top of the 9th, followed by Dominick Zombik put on base after being hit by a pitch. Cummings was walked, and a single from Haworth drove in Ng to take the Lutes to their eventual victory with a final score of 7-3.

"It's always fun to play at such a beautiful field," said Head Coach Nolan Soete. "It wasn't the prettiest game of the year, but it was a good team effort. We pitched well today and Tommy Snyder set the tone from the start. We had some timely hits. Cummings, Doten and Haworth had a good day at the plate. It was a good team win."

From the mound, the Lutes had a dominant performance. Starter Tommy Snyder pitched 5 innings, allowing 3 runs on 5 hits while getting 5 strikeouts. In relief, Justin Tucker, Andrew Curran, and Justin Armbruester combined for the remainder of the game, accruing 4 strikeouts while allowing no runs.  

The Lutes return to the field on Saturday to take on  Whitman College in a game host by the University of Puget Sound.