TACOMA, Wash. — The 25th-ranked Pacific Lutheran University softball team had a rally fall short in game one before picking up a victory in game two to win the season series at the expense of host Whitworth University on Thursday afternoon. The Lutes stumbled 5-3 in the opener before rebounding with a 6-1 win in game two at Marks Field.
"The best part about the ups and downs of our schedule for the past couple weeks is how it parallels the game. You can be clipping right along and someone sweeps your momentum and you have to work to get it back," said Head Coach
Traci Barrett.
"Today was a test of who is ready and how our team can perform through some adversity within the game, and just the flow of our schedule not being as we planned it. It's all good stuff, and it was fun to see some amazing energy by the middle of game 2 to get us back to being US V. 1."
Kennedy Kila opened the scoring in game one, belting a solo home run in the third inning. The host Pirates (13-10, 5-6 NWC) answered with a run of their own in the bottom of the third before PLU (18-8, 10-4 NWC) pushed across two more in the fourth.
A
Paola Garcia triple scored
Mattie Cheever before a
Rylie Wada RBI groundout plated Garcia to give the Lutes the 3-1 advantage.
That lead proved fleeting with Whitworth plating three on a bases clearing double in the fourth before tacking on an insurance run in the sixth. PLU had the tying run at the plate in the seventh but was unable to complete the comeback, falling 5-3.
Kila led the way, finishing two-for-three at the plate with a walk.
Cassidy Conrad went the distance inside the circle, allowing five earned runs.
Whitworth got on the board first in game two, generating a run in the first inning but it was all Lutes after that in the 6-1 victory to win the season series.
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Casey Wright triple in the fourth inning scored
Anna Foster to tie the game before a Kila double scored Emma ware to make it 2-1 in the fifth inning. PLU wasn't done scoring in the fifth with Garcia belting a two-run home run making it 4-1.
A Wada single scored Wright in the sixth inning before an
Anna Foster single plated Garcia in the seventh for the game's final run.
"In game 1 we left bases loaded twice and unfortunately for us that bit us in the end. Kennedy showed up to play in all ways today and when things were a little stale for her at the plate she killed it in the circle. She also came through with a big hit to score a run late in game 2."
PLU pounded out 10 hits in the nightcap with Foster, Wright, and
Brooke Tilson all finishing with a pair of hits while Garcia drove in two runs and scored twice.
Kila earned the complete game win, issuing just one walk and scattering seven hits.
"Anna and Rylie continue to do all the little things we need at all times, making great plate adjustments and being gritty. Paola had a huge hit to give Kennedy some run support with her 3 run homer in game 2, after making some great adjustments at the plate throughout the game. Erin added her own clutch hit in game 2 to score her. But, I was most pleased with the defense we played behind both pitchers taking hits away, and some exceptional plays. Looking to regain our momentum with each game to finish conference play strong."
The Lutes win the season series after earning 7-3 and 11-3 wins at the expense of the Pirates back on March 20.
Pacific Lutheran remains on the road, facing seventh-ranked Linfield University in a four games series beginning on Saturday at noon.
