TACOMA, Wash. – The Pacific Lutheran University softball team proved it can compete with the nation's best this weekend. The Lutes split a pair of doubleheaders with the Wildcats, who entered the weekend ranked 12
th in the country. PLU came up short in Game 1, 9-3, but rallied for a 5-2 victory in the nightcap. It was the first Northwest Conference series this season that Linfield did not win.
Game 1
The Lutes spotted the Wildcats a 4-0 lead, before the two teams traded three-run innings as Linfield led 7-3 after four complete and tacked on two more insurance runs in the seventh to break open a close game.
With two outs,
Mari Foster singled and stole second and
Erin McGrath traded places with her on a double to left field.
Casey Wright walked and
Molly House reached on an error to load the bases for
Sarah Potwin. Potwin answered the call with a base hit back up the middle to plate a pair. That was all the Lutes would be able to string together against Tayah Kelley (16-3), who the Lutes beat in yesterday's series opener.
Kennedy Kila (4-4) took the loss for the Lutes after allowing six earned runs in 3 2/3 innings pitched.
Amaya Smith was solid in relief for the second straight day, allowing just a two-run homer in the top of the seventh.
McGrath had two hits and a walk to lead the attack, while Potwin and Foster added the other two hits as Kelley allowed just four base hits in seven innings.
Game 2
PLU battled back in the second game and put up a solo tally immediately in the first inning as Potwin earned the home team's fourth walk of the opening frame to score
Chaella Galapon. The Lutes added some breathing room in the third when Wright knocked in Foster with a single and
Shanelle Lum came through with a big two-out hit to score the Lute catcher. In the next at-bat,
Rylie Wada forced an error by the Linfield first baseman and
Kayla Terlecki scooted home after pinch-running for Potwin.
Linfield finally scored in the fourth, but the Lutes answered back in the bottom half when Foster singled and McGrath doubled her in. The Wildcats added another run in the fifth, but
Cassidy Conrad (6-1) continued to battle and allowed just one hit over the final two innings. Conrad scattered three hits in the seven innings for the complete-game victory.
Foster had three hits to lead the offense and scored twice, while Potwin had three walks.
The Lutes (20-12, 12-8 NWC) will head to Pacific University next Saturday to begin a four-game NWC series.
