NEWBERG, Ore. – After splitting yesterday's doubleheader, the Pacific Lutheran University softball team lost both ends of a doubleheader on Sunday to George Fox University as the Bruins clinched the Northwest Conference series. 
 
"This weekend was tough," said PLU Head Coach Traci Barrett.  "We are a better team than we showed, but what I can say is this team is so motivated and has so much fight.  So much growth took place in ways that the scoreboard won't show.  We had some bright spots today that felt like we were just one pitch away from ending an inning that ended up allowing runs on the board for our opponent, or just one pitch from a better approach at the plate with so many multiple pitch at-bats."
 
Game 1
It was all Bruins in the opening game of the day as they scored six runs in the second inning en route to a 9-1 victory in five innings.  The Lute offense mustered just three hits in the five inning affair, with Raynna Mekaru providing all of the fireworks with a solo home run in the third inning. 
 
Starter Marley Dyer (3-2) and reliever Emma Ware allowed four earned runs in their outings.  Dyer was chased after getting just four outs and allowing five runs.  Ware tossed the final 3.1. 
 
Game 2
Leading 5-4 in the bottom of the sixth inning, the Lutes allowed the Bruins to score six times as they earned a 10-5 comeback victory. 
 
"In Game 4, we had every opportunity to end the inning that went to the wayside allowing six runs," said Barrett.  "At the top of the seventh, we immediately showed the fight that is at the core of all 30 players as Mik Chun and Molly House produced back-to-back hits."
 
After tossing three consecutive scoreless innings, the home team finally figured out freshman Kennedy Kila (4-3) as they struck for back-to-back home runs to put them in front 7-4.  After adding another run on an error by the PLU defense, George Fox hit its third home run of the inning to complete the scoring. 
 
GFU (9-5, 4-2 NWC) scored in the opening inning off of starter Cassidy Conrad, but the Lute offense answered with three in the second and two in the third to take control of the seesaw battle. 
 
Brooke Tilson got the visitors on the board with a RBI single and PLU added two runs on a Mari Foster sacrifice fly as the Lutes took advantage of a Bruin error.  After George Fox went back ahead 4-3 with three runs in the bottom of the inning, Mikayla Chun had a RBI single and Tilson added another to put PLU back on top. 
 
Chun was spectacular in the second game, going 4-for-4, while Molly House had three hits and a double.  Tilson and Erin McGrath both had a pair of singles to aid the effort. 
 
"It's still early in conference and I know this weekend will help us push forward in every way in the coming week," said Barrett.  "Erin McGrath had a stellar weekend at the plate and our entire pitching staff had great innings in the circle.  The offense and defense coming together next weekend will be key."
 
The Lutes (12-8, 4-4 NWC) will return home next weekend when they welcome Willamette University for doubleheaders on Saturday and Sunday.