DEMOREST, Ga. ­­­– Taking on a nationally-ranked foe for the second straight day, the Pacific Lutheran University softball team was edged by the slimmest of margins, stumbling 1-0 and 9-7 to 25th-ranked and host Piedmont University on Saturday.
 
"Rough day for the Lutes as far as the win column is concerned. However, if Piedmont and Birmingham Southern are in the top 25, I would say that we made a statement that we also belong in that conversation," said Head Coach Traci Barrett.
 
"We didn't end up on the winning side of either of the games today, but we matched our opponent offensively. We have some defense to clean up for sure to be able to support our pitchers better but our hitters continue to keep us in the game and we just didn't finish it."
 
The opener was a pitcher's duel that ultimately tipped in favor of the host Lions (2-0) as the Lutes (6-4) left eight runners stranded on base over the course of the game.
 
Piedmont generated the game's lone run in the third inning. A leadoff single and an error put a runner in scoring position before a stolen base and a wild pitch allowed the runner to come home to give the Lions' the 1-0 edge.
 
Erin McGrath led the Lutes, going two-for-three at the plate.
 
Amaya Smith was hit with the decision despite allowing no earned runs. Smith tossed 3 2/2 innings with Jade Behic closing out the final 2 1/3, combining for five strikeouts. 
 
In the nightcap, the Lions drew first blood, pushing across a pair of runs in the bottom of the first inning. PLU matched Piedmont in the top of the second with Molly House belting a two-run home run, bringing home Paola Garcia who led off the frame with a triple. 
 
The Lions pulled ahead in the third, scoring a single run before padding its advantage with four more in the bottom of the fourth. PLU battled back, scoring three in the fifth and two in the sixth but Piedmont had the last laugh, scoring two in the bottom of the sixth to push ahead 9-7 in what proved to be the final runs of the day.
 
The Lutes got RBI singles from McGrath, Garcia, and House to pull within two in the fifth. The following inning McGrath was at it again with a double to score Mari Foster before a Kayla Terlecki single scored McGrath to tie the game. 
 
PLU outhit the Lions 13-12 in game two with McGrath and House both finishing three-for-four. McGrath's double in the sixth inning was the 46th of her career, tying a school record.
 
Behic was saddled with the decision inside the circle, striking out one in 2 2/3 innings of work and allowing three hits. 
 
"Jade came in as a closer and shut down our opponent in both games today. She's getting more and more comfortable in the circle and it's great to see."
 
"The whole goal of these early games is to figure out where your weaknesses are and today certainly exposed some of those. It was a battle and we never gave up. I'm super proud of the way the team fought." 
 
The Lutes close out their southern road swing tomorrow with a doubleheader against Emory University. First pitch in Atlanta begins at 12 p.m. (Eastern).