TACOMA, Wash. – Opening the season at home and in Northwest Conference action on Saturday, the Pacific Lutheran University softball team overcame some pregame jitters to sweep a doubleheader against George Fox University. Erin McGrath hit a walk-off home run in Game 1, while Amaya Smith twirled a four-hit shutout in Game 2.
 
"It was great to get two wins against a very competitive team," said PLU Head Coach Traci Barrett. "Our team was ready to go and maybe a little excited about the first homestand and were a little tight defensively. Cass Conrad kept her composure in the circle and finished the game strong. I was really happy with our plate appearances overall and of course Erin's walk-off home run was so fun and the team took that momentum into Game 2. Amaya Smith's development throughout the last couple weeks in practice showed up today in the circle. Timely hitting with Chaella and Paola with two outs in the second was all we needed to get the win. Our energy and intent as a team is special. I love this team."
 
Game 1
Tied 4-4 since the Lutes scored twice in the bottom of the fourth to knot the score, McGrath broke the tie with a no doubter over the left field fence to end the game. It was McGrath's fourth home run of the season and 33rd for her career. She is just one shy of tying the all-time mark, set by Shannon Fritzke in 2002.
 
The Lutes struck twice in the first inning as Mari Foster led off the game with a single, moved to second on an error and scored on a Casey Wright double. With one out, sophomore Kennedy Kila knocked in Wright with a base hit of her own.
 
The Bruins answered in the second on Sharon Tomei's grand slam to put the visitors up 4-2. The home team tied the score in the fourth when Foster tripled home Rylie Wada and Paola Garcia.
 
Foster led the way with two hits and two knocked in, while McGrath also had a pair of hits. Conrad tossed all seven innings and worked around seven walks and eight hits to improve to 4-1 on the season.
 
Game 2
Smith had the best performance of her young career in the nightcap. The sophomore allowed just four hits and struck out five to move to 2-1 on the year. Smith has now thrown 14 2/3 innings and has yet to allow an earned run.
 
The Lutes only mustered two hits off of Bruin starter Ashley Davis, but they were all Smith needed. With two outs in the second, Chaella Galapon singled to left and Garcia followed with a double to center to score her. 
 
PLU will take its four-game winning streak into another doubleheader with the Bruins tomorrow. First pitch at PLU Field is slated for 11:00 a.m.