TACOMA, Wash. - The Pacific Lutheran University softball team will fly down to Tucson this week, playing six games in the Arizona heat at the NFCA Leadoff Classic, including four games against nationally-ranked opponents.

The Lutes currently sit at 4-6 on the year after their split against Willamette University last weekend to begin Northwest Conference play. In the doubleheader on Saturday, the Lutes dropped game one by a score of 6-3 before bouncing back to win game two 9-3. On Sunday the Lutes won their first game 5-3 giving Kennedy Robillard her first victory on the season before they dropped the final game, a back and forth affair 8-7 on Sunday afternoon in Salem. 

The Lutes were led by sophomore Nanea Kalama this weekend as she went seven-for-11 at the plate including three home runs against the Willamette pitchers. The strong showing from Kalama has bumped her average up to .636 on the season and was more than enough for her to earn NWC Hitter of the Week on Monday.

Kalama, who hails from Kaneohe, Hawaii has credited her hitting sessions during practice with her recent success.

"In every hitting session, Coach Barrett and Coach VH have focused on my swing, my approach at the plate, and me believing in myself.  I've trusted the process and I believe that all the work we've put in has allowed me to be the most prepared for this past weekend," said Kalama.

As a sophomore Kalama is most looking forward to "the competition of the different teams from other conferences, and the moments and memories that our team will experience together" that this trip brings. Kalama is a business accounting major with plans on minoring in Chinese. After graduation, Kalama's plan is to utilize her degree whether that ne here in Washington or back home in Hawaii.

The doubleheader on Friday will begin with the first game at 6 p.m. (Mountain Time) against Babson College followed by a game at 8 p.m. (Mountain) against sixth-ranked Illinois Wesleyan University. The doubleheader on Saturday will start with first pitch at 1:30 p.m. (Mountain) as the Lutes take on 22nd-ranked University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and top-ranked Texas Lutheran University. The Lutes final two games in Arizona will be played against Emory and Henry College and 24th-ranked DePauw University beginning at 9 a.m. (Mountain) on Sunday.

About the Beavers: Friday's game will be the season-opener for Babson. Last season the Beavers compiled a 25-15 overall record and a 14-4 record in New England Women's & Men's Athletic Conference play. The Beavers advanced to the finals of the NEWMAC Tournament but fell to Wellesley College 5-4.

About the Titans: No. 6 ranked Illinois Wesleyan (2-0) heads to Arizona undefeated after thrashing Illinois College 4-0 and 11-2 on Feb. 20. IWU finished the 2019 season with a 39-10 record, winning the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin regular season and tournament title before advancing to the NCAA College World Series. 

About the Crusaders: 22nd-ranked Mary Hardin-Baylor (9-2, 5-1 American Southwest Conference) heads into the weekend riding a three-game winning streak, collecting wins over ASC rival Belhaven University (8-5 and 8-4) before blanking Southwestern University 3-0 in a midweek non-conference tilt. Last season, UMHB finished the season with a 28-16 record, falling to East Texas Baptist University in the ASC Tournament Championship Game.

About the Bulldogs: No. 1 ranked Texas Lutheran (11-0, 3-0 Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference) has been on a roll in 2020, opening the season undefeated while allowing just three runs over the last six games, outscoring opponents Whitworth University and University of Dallas by a combined 41-3 scoreline. Last season the Bulldogs finished the year with a 40-8 record, falling to Emory University in the championship game of the NCAA Division III College World Series. 

About the Wasps: Emory & Henry (6-4) heads to Arizona after picked up 8-0 and 9-1 wins over Meredith College on Sunday. Last season the Wasps finished the season with a 15-18 record, participating in the NCAA regional.

About the Tigers: 24th-ranked DePauw (4-0) picked up four wins last weekend after opening the year down in Jacksonville, Alabama. Last season the Tigers finished the season with a 33-14 record and a perfect 16-0 mark in North Coast Athletic Conference play. DePauw went 5-2 at the NCAA regional, falling 1-0 to Trine University in the regional championship game.