SALEM, Ore. - The Pacific Lutheran University softball team lifted the on Northwest Conference play on Saturday, earning a doubleheader split against host Willamette University. The Lutes had the tying run at the plate in the opener before falling 6-3 before rebounding with a 9-3 win in the nightcap.

"We had a plate approach in game one but failed to execute, so I'm happy we answered the downfall of game one right away in game two," said Head Coach Traci Barrett. "This group is resilient and it was impressive the way we stayed disciplined at the plate. Our defense did a good job overall behind both Z and Kennedy."

In the opener, the Lutes (3-5, 1-1 NWC) seized an early 2-0 lead but was unable to weather a big second inning from the host Bearcats (2-5, 1-1 NWC), falling 6-3. A solo home run from Mari Foster put the Lutes up 1-0 in the first inning before Sara Potwin went yard in the second for the 2-0 lead. Willamette piled on four runs in the bottom of the second and added two more in the sixth. In the seventh, Kennadi Wuebel doubled to left field, scoring Chaella Galapon. The Lutes had the tying runner at the plate before a double play sealed the game for Willamette.

Mari Foster led the Lutes at the plate, finishing two-for-three with an RBI. Inside the circle, Kennedy Robillard tossed a complete game, striking out five.

In game two, a sixth run inning set the stage for a Lute win to salvage a doubleheader split. Nanea Kalama got things started with a leadoff home run in the second inning. The Bearcats would answer with a run of their own in the bottom of the second before PLU added six runs in the third.

A Mari Foster double opened the Lute scoring binge before a Kalama single allowed Foster to score. A Wuebel single scored Erin McGrath while an Anna Foster base hit allowed Kayla Terlecki to touch home plate. PLU's sixth run came on a Cailey Collado fielder's choice, allowing Sydney Victor to score for the 7-1 lead.

Willamette added a run in the third but PLU added single runs in the fourth and five to cruise to the win.

Consecutive doubles from McGrath and Kalama accounted for the Lutes' run in the fourth while a Galapon single up the middle scored Anna Foster in the fifth.

Kalama paced the Lutes at the plate, going three-for-four with three RBIs while Galapon, Mari Foster, and Anna Foster all finished with a pair of hits.

"Nanea has worked very hard this season and is a huge contributor everyday at practice and behind the scenes in games. She has diligently worked to become a disciplined hitter and got her opportunity today. To say she was ready for the opportunity was an understatement. She chose the right pitch to hit in every at bat and the results were 100 percent earned."

Z Ellis picked up the complete game victory inside the circle, striking out eight while allowing just two earned runs.

The Lutes and Bearcats finish off the series tomorrow with a twinbill beginning at 11 a.m.