REDLANDS, Calif. — The Pacific Lutheran University baseball team struggled at the plate on Thursday afternoon, collecting just three hits in a 4-1 setback to host University of Redlands in the first of four games for the Lutes in southern California.
 
The visiting Lutes (9-13) struck first, plating what turned out to be the team's lone run in the top of the second inning. Braeden Lundberg blasted a leadoff double down the left field line and advanced to third on a passed ball. A Lukas Delisle sacrifice fly allowed Lundberg to score for the early 1-0 advantage.
 
The host Bulldogs (11-10) answered in the bottom of the second, scoring two runs before adding insurance runs in the fourth and seventh innings to hold on for the 4-1 win.
 
PLU's best scoring chance happened in the seventh inning with two runners on with one out but a strikeout and a pop out allowed Redlands to escape the inning unscathed.

"It was a disappointing effort at the plate today. Our pitchers and defense performed well enough to win, we just didn't put anything together offensively," said Head Coach Nolan Soete.
 
Delisle finished with an RBI and a walk while Lundberg provided the Lutes' lone extra base hit of the day for an anemic PLU offense.
 
Jonathan Cohen made the start on the hill, allowing two earned runs and striking out two in four innings of work. Trevor Mason tossed two innings of scoreless relief while Landon Day struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning appearance.
 
Redlands threw six pitchers during the nine-inning affair and didn't allow a Lute hit after the second inning, combining for 12 strikeouts. 
 
"We look to put together a total team effort tomorrow."

The Lutes are back on the diamond tomorrow afternoon, opening up a three-game series with Whittier College. First pitch against the Poets is set for 3 p.m.