THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Erin McGrath drove in seven runs as the Pacific Lutheran University softball team secured a doubleheader split for the second consecutive day on Monday. The Lutes fell short 6-5 to host California Lutheran University in a marathon nine-inning affair before closing the day with a 10-6 win to close the season-opening southern California road swing.

For the second straight day, PLU (2-4) took their opponent to extra innings, but came up on the short end in Monday's opener. The Lutes rallied for a solo tally in the top of the seventh to force extra innings. Junior Kennedy Robillard drew a leadoff walk and after a pitching change, Elise Freund singled to right. Each baserunner moved up a spot on the bases when Anna Foster struck out and Shanelle Lum hit a deep drive to right to score Robillard.

After a scoreless eighth, the PLU tacked on what was the potential winning run in the ninth.  Marley Dyer started the inning on second after pinch running for Mikayla Chun and came around to score on the frame's first batter as the Regal shortstop booted a groundball from Erin McGrath.

The Regals (3-3) scored two unearned runs in the ninth to walk off with the victory. Robillard gave up just one hit in the pivotal inning, but was hurt by a passed ball by the Lute catcher and an error by the PLU left fielder.

The Lutes came out swinging early and took a 3-0 advantage after their first three at-bats. McGrath had a RBI triple in the first inning of the game and Robillard followed with a single of her own to put PLU up 2-0 after the first three outs. The Lutes scored again in the third. Mari Foster started the inning with a double and McGrath came through with her second extra-base hit of the day to score her.

Robillard threw all 8.1 innings for PLU and allowed just three earned runs in the game. The Regals made her work as she had to throw 112 pitches and work around 12 hits.  Offensively, Mari Foster, McGrath and Freund all had two hits, while McGrath drove in three runs and worked a walk.

A six-run third inning turned a 4-1 deficit into a 7-4 lead for PLU en route to the 10-6 win.

McGrath stayed hot in Game 2 as the cleanup hitter produced a RBI single in her first at-bat for the Lutes' first run and smacked a bases clearing double in third for to tie the game at 4-4.  Robillard followed with a double to give PLU the lead and Sydney Victor singled in the next at-bat to put runners at the corners with just one out.  Victor stole second and Raynna Mekaru ripped a two-out double to complete the big inning.

PLU kept the pressure on in the following inning as Victor drilled a doubled to score Mari Foster, Mikayla Chun and Robillard as the Lutes increased their advantage to 10-4. Cal Lu tallied two runs in the bottom of the fourth but was unable to come any closer as the Lutes held on for the win.

McGrath finished two-for-four at the plate with four RBIs in the nightcap while Sydney Victor had two hits and three RBIs.

PLU will open their home schedule on Sunday when they host Central Washington University for an exhibition beginning at 12:00 p.m.