SALEM Ore. - It was another big day at the plate for the Pacific Lutheran University softball team, generating 22 runs on Sunday in a doubleheader sweep of Northwest Conference rival Willamette University. The Lutes rolled the Bearcats 8-1 in the opener before outlasting the hosts 14-9 in the nightcap.

"It took a ton of runs to beat a talented Willamette team and luckily our bats were ready for the challenge," said Head Coach Traci Barrett.

"Not many open frames on the whole day. Anna Foster was so clutch for us this weekend and led the team in total bases including three doubles and a home run today! Cass Conrad built up some endurance this weekend with three starts. She led with confidence and command of the zone! Other fun moments were Rachel Treves with a save coming in relief for her first college innings pitching the 5th and 6th. Zoe Smithson with a pinch hit blast out of the park! This team is so excited for those that get opportunities! All 28 as one! "

Cassidy Conrad tossed a complete game three-hitter in game one, propelling the Lutes (15-5, 7-1 NWC) to the win. Kennedy Kila blasted a two-run home run in the first inning to give the Lutes an early 2-0 lead. A Cailey Collado single scored Arabella Perez in the fourth before the Lutes added two unearned runs in the fifth to take a five run advantage.

Zoe Smithson went yard in the sixth inning, ballooning the Lute lead to 7-0. The Bearcats (10-8, 5-3 NWC) got on the board in the sixth, scoring on a wild pitch before a Chaella Galapon base knock scored Paola Garcia in the seventh to give PLU the 8-1 lead and conclude the scoring.

Conrad struck out five while allowing just three hits for the complete game effort inside the circle. Offensively, Garcia was three-for-four to pace the Lutes while Anna Foster finished two-for-four.

The Lutes pushed across two runs in the first inning of game two courtesy of a Kila RBI single and an RBI double from Garcia. An Anna Foster single plated Rylie Wada in the second before scoring on a Mari Foster sacrifice bunt. PLU's lead stretched to 5-0 in the third on another Anna Foster RBI single.

Willamette drove in five runs in the bottom of the third to tie the game before Wada and Anna Foster drove in two more runs in the fifth to give PLU a 7-5 edge. PLU wasn't done with the fireworks, getting three home runs in the sixth inning to extend its lead to 12-6. Garcia led things off with a three-run shot to center field before Wada and Anna Foster both belted solo home runs.

"Rylie Wada played great at shortstop and the team went crazy when she hit her first ever home run."

Willamette tightened the game with three runs in the bottom of the sixth but a Galapon single tacked on two more insurance runs in the top of the seventh, making it 14-9.

Garcia and Anna Foster both finished three-for-five with four RBIs and two runs scored in the nightcap while Galapon and Wada both had a pair of hits and RBIs.

Jade Behic earned the win, tossing one inning of middle relief before Kila and Rachel Treves handled the game's final nine outs. Kila notched three strikeouts while Treves earned the save after recording the final four outs.

"Our whole lineup had great moments throughout the weekend. Paola Garcia and Chaella Galapon with huge clutch hits in the top of 7 to give Rachel more run support. While it was another good weekend, we still have lots of work to do this week."

The Lutes, winners of nine of the last 10, are back on the diamond on Saturday, hosting Lewis & Clark College in a doubleheader beginning at noon.