MCMINNVILLE, Ore. - The Pacific Lutheran University baseball team utilized a one-inning scoring binge in both ends of a Northwest Conference doubleheader on Saturday, emerging from Roy Helser Field with a pair of wins at the expense of host Linfield University. The Lutes unleashed seven runs in one frame for the 10-3 win in the opener before tacking on six runs late in an 8-7 victory in the nightcap for the sweep on the penultimate day of the regular season.  

A seven-run explosion set the table for a decisive 10-3 victory in the series opener.

A Cole Trotignon single to left field scored Austin Gormley for the game's first run in the top of the first inning. The score remained 1-0 until the Lutes (23-15, 19-11 NWC) knocked in seven in the fourth inning.

An Ashton Barton single brought in the first run of the fourth while a Kenton Robillard single made it 3-0. Two runs scored on an Alex Boyd single and an error before Sean Kauffman went deep, with a three-run home run to left field to stake an 8-0 cushion.

The host Wildcats (10-26, 8-20 NWC) generated single runs in the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings before a Trotignon double in the ninth plated two more for the final 10-3 scoreline.

Trotignon led the way, going three-for-four with three RBIs while Kauffman and Gormley both scored two runs in game one.

Tommy Snyder tallied the win on the mound, striking out five in six innings of work. Trevor Mason stuck out one in 1 2/3 innings of middle relief before Justin Tucker finished off the game, striking out two and allowing no hits in 1 1/3 innings of action.

The Lutes got off to a rocky start in game two, surrendering five runs in the opening inning and two more in the second. The Lutes got on the board in the top of the third with a Gormley single scoring Ashton Barton. In the fifth, Alex Boyd doubled in Barton, closing the gap to 7-2 before the Lutes unloaded six runs in the sixth inning.

Andy Schmitz got things rolling with an RBI single to score Trotignon. Robillard singled in Noah Claxton-Ward while a Kauffman double plated two. A Gormley base knock tied the game with a Jordan Haworth RBI fielder's choice scoring Kauffman to seize the 8-7 advantage.

Linfield threatened in the bottom of the seventh with the tying run on first but Lute closer Alex Gregory entered the game and needed just seven pitches to record the final two outs to preserve the win.

The Lutes cranked out 14 hits in game two with Gormley leading the way, going three-for-four with two RBIs. Barton collected two hits and scored three runs while Schmitz, Boyd, and Robillard all finished with a pair of base knocks.

On the mound, Trevor Mason claimed the win, allowing just one baserunner in three innings of middle relief. Tucker went another 1 1/3 innings in game two, allowing just one hit while Gregory closed things out, recording the final two outs to collect his 17th career save.

The Lutes and Wildcats close out the regular season tomorrow with a doubleheader getting underway at 12 p.m.