TUCSON, Ariz. - The Pacific Lutheran University softball squad faced a gauntlet of nationally-ranked opponents on Saturday at the NFCA Leadoff Classic, coming up short 13-10 in a slugfest against 22nd-ranked University of Mary Hardin-Baylor before falling 12-0 to No. 1-ranked Texas Lutheran University.
 
In the opener, the Lutes (4-10), scored a run in first, four in the third, three more in the fourth, and two in the seventh but it wasn't enough to keep pace with the  22nd-ranked Crusaders (11-2).
 
Erin McGrath belted a home run and finished with four hits and four RBIs while Chaella Galapon, Sarah Potwin, and Mari Foster all finished with multiple hits.
 
In the nightcap, the top-ranked Bulldogs pushed across six runs in the first inning and never looked back, adding two more in the second and four in the fourth for the 12-0 victory.
 
PLU's back in action tomorrow, finishing off the Leadoff Classic with games against Emory & Henry College and 24th-ranked DePauw University.