SEGUIN, Texas- The Pacific Lutheran University baseball squad outhit 23rd-ranked Texas Lutheran University but was unable to garner enough production to come away with the win in Thursday's series opener, falling 2-1 at Katt-Isabel Field.
 
The Lutes (2-5) had a promising start to the game with Andy Schmitz drawing a leadoff walk before advancing to third courtesy of a Kenton Robillard bunt single with no outs. The host Bulldogs (5-2) would strike out the next three Lute batters stranded both Schmitz and Robillard while scoring in the bottom of the frame on a bases loaded hits by pitch.
 
TLU doubled its advantage in the fourth, tacking on an unearned run on an RBI single.
 
Pacific Lutheran threatened in the fifth with Schmitz reaching base on an error. Schmitz would advance to third on a Robillard double but the inning would end on a fielder's choice with the Lutes coming up empty-handed.
 
The Lutes stranded two on base in the sixth before getting on the board in the eighth with a Tori Doten single scoring Jordan Haworth who reached base on a hit by pitch. PLU had two runners on base before a strikeout and groundout allowed the Bulldogs to escape the inning maintaining a slim 2-1 lead.
 
TLU reliever Zach Perry would retire the side in order in the ninth, earning the save after striking out four over the final three innings of play.
 
PLU outhit TLU by a 7-4 margin with Robillard, Doten, and Garrett Wong all finishing with a pair of base hits. On the hill, Tommy Snyder was saddled with the decision, striking out three and allowing just one earned run in five innings of work. Andrew Curran tossed three innings of scoreless relief, striking out three while allowing just one hit.

"Tommy threw well and Andrew did a great job in relief," said Head Coach Nolan Soete. "Our pitching staff gave us a great chance to win. We battled at the plate but we aren't putting the ball in play enough to put pressure on the defense. The only way to beat good teams is to put all three phases together. We're close and hopefully it comes together tomorrow."
 
The Lutes and Bulldogs continue the series tomorrow evening with game two set for 6 p.m. (Central Time).