LA VERNE, Calif. – The Pacific Lutheran University softball team battled with undefeated University of La Verne all afternoon, but came up just short in its first Saturday of the season.  The Lutes dropped the first game 4-2 before losing a late lead in a 5-4 loss in the nightcap. 
 
La Verne 4, PLU 2
 
The Leopards led 4-0 after five innings, but the Lutes rallied for two runs in the sixth when freshman Mikayla Chun got her first career hit, a home run, that scored Mari Foster to cut the home lead in half.  Foster got on with a one-out single to begin the rally.
 
That was all the offense would muster as Anna Foster singled in the seventh, but the visitors were unable to capitalize. 
 
Mari Foster had two of PLU's five hits in Game 1.  She led off the fourth inning with a single and stole second base to open up a free base for Chun who was walked.  With runners on first and second and one out, the Leopards were able to escape with no damage done. 
 
Junior Jiana Rojo kept PLU off balance in the doubleheader's first contest, tossing a complete game and allowing just five hits, while striking out seven.  Kennedy Robillard took the loss after allowing four runs in six innings.  Robillard was efficient in the start, needing just 88 pitches and scattering 10 hits. 
 
La Verne 5, PLU 4
 
Trailing 3-2 in the seventh, Mikayla Chun singled to right center field to score Mari Foster and Rayanna Mekaru to give PLU a late 4-3 lead, but the PLU defense was unable to hold it as La Verne scored twice in the bottom half to win the second game of the doubleheader. 
 
Sydney Victor got the Lutes going with a solo home run in the top of the second. 
 
In the circle, Z Ellis retired the first 10 batters she faced, but the Leopards finally broke through with four hits and three runs in the fourth.  With a runner on second and just one out, sophomore Marley Dyer prevented further damage by inducing a fielder's choice and a groundout to escape the frame. 
 
After Victor's homer, the PLU attack was held in check until the sixth inning.  Chun led off the inning with a safety and Anna Foster followed with another base hit.  Erin McGrath sacrificed herself to move the runners up a base and Victor walked to load the bases.  Pinch-hitting for Kennedy Robillard, Nanea Kalama drew a RBI walk, but the Lutes lined into a double play to end the threat in the next at-bat. 
 
Marley Dyer did an excellent job in relief of Ellis.  The sophomore chucked 3.1 scoreless innings before La Verne rallied to end the game.  Just one of Dyer's runs allowed were earned. 
 
PLU remains in California tomorrow and Monday for doubleheaders against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps College and California Lutheran University, respectively.  Tomorrow's first pitch against the Athenas is set for 2:00 p.m.