ORANGE, Calif. - Kennedy Kila blasted a pair of home runs and picked up a win inside the circle, as the Pacific Lutheran University softball team earned a doubleheader sweep of host Chapman University on Sunday, extending the Lutes' win streak to five games. The Lutes took the opener 5-3 before Kila hit the go-ahead home run in the sixth inning in a 3-2 victory in the nightcap.
 
In the opener, the Lutes (5-1) wasted little time putting up runs, scoring three in the top of the first. An Erin McGrath triple scored Mari Foster for the game's opening run before Kennedy Kila blasted a two-run home run over the left center field fence to give PLU the 3-0 advantage.
 
The Panthers (2-3) got on the board in the second before McGrath pushed the Lute lead back to three with a solo home run in the fifth inning. Chapman closed the gap to a single run after scoring two in the sixth before Foster belted a solo home run, the Lutes' third home run of the game, to increase the PLU edge to 5-3.
 
Foster finished three-for-four with two runs scored, closing the opener a triple short of hitting for the cycle. McGrath had two hits- a triple and a home run- with two RBIs and two runs scored.
 
Kila pitched 5 2/3 innings, striking out six for her second win of the weekend. Amaya Smith had mop up duty, recording the final four outs to earn the save.
 
It was PLU again striking first in the nightcap, manufacturing a run in the third inning. Rylie Wada hit a single to left before advancing to second on an Arabella Perez sacrifice bunt. Mari Foster blasted a triple to right field, allowing Wada to touch home for the early 1-0 lead. Chapman tied the game in the bottom of the third before taking a 2-1 lead in the fourth.
 
Kila struck again in the top of the sixth, belting a two-out two-run home run to put the Lutes back in front, 3-2.
 
Wada was two-for-three at the plate in game two for the Lutes. Cassidy Conrad earned the win inside the circle, striking out four in the complete game effort.

"The three keys of the game all came together today! Clutch hitting to back up our pitchers with Kila starting us off with run support for herself in the circle! Erin, Mari, and Chaella barreled up balls all day and kept our offense consistently challenging the Chapman pitchers," said Head Coach Traci Barrett.
 
"Casey Wright threw out 2 runners in game 2 and one in the 7th for the second out. That's five for the weekend for Casey. There is so much season ahead of us and it's going to be fun to see who can stay mentally strong when being unselfish is required. I'm amazed at the character of the team and the desire to be great by them all. Glad to finish strong and come home to a couple days of practice before our next road trip."
 
The Lutes are back on the road next weekend, facing Birmingham-Southern College in a doubleheader on Friday.