TACOMA, Wash. - The Pacific Lutheran University softball team capped off its home slate in style on Saturday, earning a doubleheader sweep of crosstown nemesis University of Puget Sound. The Lutes took the opener 3-2 before vanquishing their Northwest Conference rivals 8-1 in the nightcap.
 
The Lutes (14-20, 11-15 NWC) struck first in the bottom of the second inning. Mari Foster led things off with an infield single. Foster would cross the plate later in the inning courtesy of a two-out double from Anna Foster.
 
Casey Wright led off the fourth with a double while Mari Foster traded spots with Wright with a double of her own to stake a 2-0 lead. A Cailey Collado base knock plated Foster, giving the Lutes a three-run cushion.
 
The visiting Loggers (9-21, 9-17 NWC) had a two-run home run in the fifth and had two runners on in the top of the seventh but were unable to muster any more offense as senior pitcher Kennedy Robillard induced a flyout and a strikeout to preserve the win.
 
Mari Foster led the Lutes at the plate with a two-for-three effort while Robillard struck out seven and allowed just one walk to collect the complete game win.
 
Game two saw the Lutes jut out to an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Chaella Galapon reached on a fielder's choice before stealing second base. Galapon advanced to third on an Erin McGrath groundout before scoring on a Logger error. PLU doubled its advantage in the second inning with Mari Foster leading off the inning on an infield single. Foster would steal second, advance to third on a groundout, before scoring on a Collado groundout.
 
Puget Sound cut into the lead in the fourth with a solo home run but the Lutes added further separation in the fifth getting a solo home run from Erin McGrath and an RBI triple from Mari Foster, scoring Wright.
 
The floodgates opened up in the bottom of the sixth with the Lutes piling on four runs to take an 8-1 lead. A Taylor Shigeta single to left scored Shanelle Lum to get things rolling before a Wright single plated two and a Robillard sacrifice fly tallied another. 
 
PLU cranked out 10 hits in the nightcap with Shigeta, Wright, Anna Foster, and Mari Foster all finishing with a pair of base knocks. Z Ellis picked up the complete game win, allowing just three hits and striking out seven. 
 
Saturday was Senior Day with the program honoring its lone 2021 graduate Kennedy Robillard. The 2018 NWC Freshman of the Year, Robillard has played in 112 games over the past four seasons for the black and gold. 
 
The Lutes and Loggers close out the regular season tomorrow with a doubleheader beginning at 12 p.m.