FOREST GROVE, Ore. – The Pacific Lutheran University softball team proved Pacific University was no match for the Lutes on Sunday.  After beating the Boxers twice yesterday, PLU dominated the home team 14-4 and 12-2 to sweep all four games of the Northwest Conference series.  With the victory, the Lutes have clinched a spot in the NWC Tournament for the first time since 2017. 
 
Game 1
The offense set the tone for the day, scoring 14 runs in just six trips to the plate in the opening game.  PLU coaxed four walks, produced 11 hits and forced the Pacific defense into two errors to power the fireworks. 
 
Kennedy Kila (5-4) picked up her fifth win of her freshman season after allowing four runs in three innings of work.  She exited the game with the Lutes up 5-4, but PLU scored three more times in the top of the fourth to give Marley Dyer an 8-4 lead when she headed to the circle.  Dyer tossed two scoreless frames and handed the ball to Emma Ware who chucked a scoreless sixth to end the game. 
 
Offensively, Erin McGrath blasted her 11^th home run of the season and added a double and a walk to finish the game 2-for-3 with three runs scored and four RBI.  Mari Foster drove in three runs, had two hits and scored twice and Cailey Collado tripled out of the leadoff spot, had two hits and scored three times.  Casey Wright had three RBI as well, while Ware had two hits and Dyer drove in a pair. 
 
Game 2
Sarah Potwin was the star of the nightcap.  The senior first baseman had a grand slam in the first inning and finished the game with a home run, two doubles, two runs scored and seven RBI. 
 
The Lute lineup had 11 hits for the second straight game with Shanelle Lum also adding a pair.  Brooke Tilson had two RBI and Chaella Galapon scored three times after doubling and walking twice. 
 
In the circle, Cassidy Conrad continued to dominate NWC hitters.  She pitched all five innings and allowed just one hit for the second straight start.  Conrad has won five starts in a row, pitched three consecutive complete games and has eight victories on the season.
 
With the four wins this weekend, PLU improved to 24-12 on the season and 16-8 in NWC play.  The Lutes have already qualified for the four-team NWC Tournament that will take place on Thursday, April 21 through Saturday, April 23. 

PLU will wrap the regular season next weekend when they head to cellar dweller University of Puget Sound on Friday before hosting the Loggers on Saturday.  First pitch on Friday is at 12:00 p.m.