TACOMA, Wash. - The Pacific Lutheran University baseball team opens up Northwest Conference play this weekend as they travel down to Newberg, Oregon to battle George Fox University in a three-game series.
 
Last week the Lutes had their first trip to Oregon as they played Pacific University on Friday, winning 9-6. On Saturday, the Lutes battled hard in a doubleheader against Linfield College as they lost the first game 3-6, before taking the second game 7-2. This was the last preseason action for the Lutes before they open up conference play this weekend, and a great opportunity for the team to get ready for the busy season ahead.
 
"The games against Linfield and Pacific showed us a lot of what we need to work on, despite going 2-1," said junior Alex Gregory. "This week of practice is going to be very important for us to make sure we're ready for George Fox. One of the strengths that we identified last weekend was how we played as a team. Everyone had each other's backs and we did a good job of executing team stuff."
 
Gregory already has an accomplishment under his belt this season, as he notched NWC player of the week for the Lutes.
 
"It is definitely a good feeling to get the NWC player of the week but there's still a lot of the season left, and I know there's areas where I can still improve."
 
The chemistry within the team this season is also an exciting aspect for the team, as pointed out by Gregory and others on the team.
 
"This year's team chemistry is great. Every guy on the team wants to win and it shows during our games. No one feels like they're bigger than the team and we have to keep playing as one unit to go far this season. My favorite part of being on this team is how hard everyone works day in and day out. It's good to know that these guys will have my back on and off the field."
 
Gregory is also working hard off the diamond and in the classroom as he finishes up his junior year at PLU.
 
"I'm a pre-physical therapy major with a minor in sport and exercise psychology. My plan is to go to grad school for physical therapy when I graduate. My interest in physical therapy came from just playing baseball and all the times I spent actually working with a physical therapist due to injuries. I knew that I wanted to help people keep playing the sports that they loved, the same way my physical therapists would help me."
 
Outside of school and baseball, Gregory is usually playing video games or hanging out with friends, going to concerts, playing pick-up basketball, or lifting.
 
Gregory and the Lutes are looking to take some momentum into their first NWC weekend series.  The first game is on Saturday, Feb. 22 at 11 a.m. with the second game of the doubleheader directly after at 2 p.m. The final game of the series will be on Sunday, Feb. 23 at 11 a.m.