TACOMA, Wash. - The Pacific Lutheran University softball team earned a doubleheader split on Saturday to secure the series win over Whitworth University to open Northwest Conference play. The Lutes rallied to the 6-4 win in the opener but was unable to replicate that magic in the nightcap, falling short 15-9.

Brooke Tilson put the Lutes' (11-5, 3-1 NWC) up 2-0 in the opener, scoring Cailey Collado and Sarah Potwin on a single up the middle in the second inning. The Pirates (11-5, 1-3 NWC)  answered in the third, tying the game on a two-run home run before a Casey Wright base knock put PLU back on top 3-2 in the third.

Whitworth scored two more in the fourth, taking a 4-3 lead but the Lutes got the last laugh, plating three in the fifth to secure the victory. A Erin McGrath double tied the game at four before Casey Wright doubled to right center, scoring two in what proved to be the final runs of the contest.

Wright finished two-for-three at the plate with three RBIs while McGrath and Foster also went two-for-three at the plate.

Marley Dyer earned the win inside the circle, striking out two and allowing just one hit in two innings of relief work. Emma Ware earned the save, striking out two of the three batters she faced in the final inning.

Game two saw the Pirates race out to a 6-0 lead after four innings of play. The Lutes would rally starting with a Kennedy Kila two-run home run in the fourth. McGrath went yard in the fifth, driving in two more before KIla singled in a run and Tilson drew a bases loaded walk to tie the game.

Whitworth regained the lead in the sixth, collecting nine runs. PLU scored two runs in the sixth and another in the seventh but it wasn't enough as Whitworth secured the win to avoid the weekend sweep.

Kila finished two-for-three in the nightcap, racking up four RBIs while Wright was two-for-four with two runs scored.

"We're so grateful for everyone at PLU and the game environment we play in front of. It gave us the gas to win the series," said Head Coach Traci Barrett.

"Our bats went away a bit in game 4, although I was proud of the women for their fight. Casey Wright and Erin McGrath gave us a lot of power all weekend at the plate. We're taking an approach with our pitchers that is really creating a teamwork mentality against opposing hitters. I was happy overall with their ability to stay present in each pitch. We have a lot to work on this week, but this team is so driven to rise up day to day that we will be better next weekend."

"We're leaning on the experience of our seniors to lead our young pitching staff. Marley Dyer showed that leadership throughout the series and Cassidy Conrad gets better every outing. Defense behind them has to get better and it's back to work this week."

PLU claimed the series win over the Pirates thanks to sweeping Friday's twinbill 12-8 and 10-9.

The Lutes are back on the diamond next Saturday, facing George Fox University at 12 p.m. in Newberg, Oregon.