LA VERNE, Calif. – Casey Wright gunned down the potential tying run in extra innings while Chaella Galapon went deep in game two to highlight a doubleheader sweep for the Pacific Lutheran University softball team on Saturday afternoon. Wright's throw ended the eighth inning, giving the Lutes the 2-1 extra innings victory over host University of La Verne while Galapon's dinger pushed PLU ahead in an 8-6 win over University of Redlands.

"Today's games are tough to win without base runners at the right time and clutch hits in game one by Erin McGrath and in the seventh from Chaella Galapon in game two. Casey Wright was a really tough out all day. Cailey Collado barreled up balls in game one and Mattie Cheever was a gamer today! Our defense is settling in and getting better every game, but we still have some things to clean up. Brooke Tilson took several hits away up the middle at crucial times to get us out of innings," said Head Coach Traci Barrett.

The opener against La Verne (1-1) was a pitcher's duel that ultimately saw PLU's Cassidy Conrad emerge with the win, limiting the Leopards to just six hits in the extra innings affair.

The host Leopards struck first, pushing across a run in the second inning. The Lutes (3-1) tied the game in the sixth with Wright reaching base on a walk and scoring on a throwing error by the La Verne catcher.

Erin McGrath provided some fireworks in extra innings, blasting a solo home run to lead off the eighth. La Verne had a two-out walk in the bottom of the eighth and had the potential winning run at the plate before Wright threw out the Leopard baserunner at second base to end the game.

McGrath and Mattie Cheever each finished with a pair of base hits to lead the Lute offense.

"Erin McGrath was clutch, Cailey Collado barreled up balls in game one, and Matte Cheever was a gamer today!"

In game two, a Wright RBI single and a Kennedy Kila sacrifice fly gave the Lutes a 2-0 lead after a half inning of play. The Bulldogs (0-1) tied the game in the bottom of the frame only to see the Lutes plate two more in the fifth. Wright had another RBI single before a McGrath sacrifice fly scored Mari Foster.

Redlands took its first lead of the game in the fifth, piling on four runs to take a 6-4 lead. A Kila double in the seventh scored Foster before Galapon blasted a pinch-hit three-run home run to put the Lutes on top 8-6.

Redlands went three-up, three-down in the bottom of the seventh as PLU escaped with its second win of the day.

Wright finished two-for-four with two RBIs while Foster finished with three runs scored.

Marley Dyer and Jade Behic combined for seven strikeouts inside the circle. Behic collected her first win as a Lute, tossing three innings and fanning five while allowing two runs.

"I'm impressed with our fight today! We had so many contributions, I could name the whole team. So many things that the stats won't ever show and happy for Cassidy and Jade getting their first wins of the season."

PLU closes out its California trip tomorrow with a doubleheader against Chapman University.