TACOMA, Wash. - The Pacific Lutheran University baseball team opened up Northwest Conference play on Saturday afternoon, coming up just short in both ends of a doubleheader against Pacific University. The Lutes fell behind early in an 8-6 setback in game one before surrendering the lead in a 4-3 defeat in the nightcap.
The Lutes (4-6, 0-2 NWC) dug themselves into an early hole in the opener, surrendering two runs in the first inning and adding another run in the sixth. Pacific Lutheran got on the board in the seventh with a
Tori Doten infield single scoring
Connor Lemma but the Boxers (7-3, 2-0 NWC) escaped the inning with no further damage as the Lutes' stranded three on base.
The Boxers added to their lead in the eighth, scratching across three runs to take a 6-1 advantage. The Lute offense came alive in the bottom of the eighth, exploding for five runs to tie the game.
Cole Trotignon led off the inning with a single, later scoring on an RBI single from
Connor Lemma.
Austin Gormley scored on a fielding error, while a Doten sacrifice fly allowed Lemma to score.
Andy Schmitz belted an RBI single to score
Alex Boyd while a
Jordan Haworth double down the line allowed
Noah Claxton Ward to score, tying the game at 6-6.
It would be Pacific that would have the last laugh, scoring two runs in the ninth to walk away with the game one victory.
Doten finished with two hits and two RBIs at the plate while Gormley and Lemma both finished with a pair of base knocks.
On the hill,
Justin Tucker struck out eight in seven innings of work while allowing three runs.
PLU struck first in game two, plating a pair of runs in the third inning. A Schmitz fielder's choice scored
Tommy Snyder for the game's first run before a
Jordan Haworth single to center field brought in Schmitz for the 2-0 lead.
Pacific pushed across a run in the fourth before adding three more in the sixth for the 4-2 lead.
A Snyder groundout in the seventh scored
Connor Lemma and the Lutes had the winning run on first base but were unable to bring it home, falling 4-3.
Lemma led the Lutes in the nightcap, collecting two of the squad's five hits.
Cole Trotignon had the start, striking out three in five innings of effort.
Alex Gregory finished the game, tossing the final two innings, fanning two and allowing just two hits.
The Lutes and Boxers conclude the series tomorrow with another doubleheader. First pitch is set for 12 p.m.
