MCMINNVILLE, Ore. — It was a clash of Northwest Conference juggernauts on Saturday afternoon at Del Smith Stadium with the 25th-ranked Pacific Lutheran University softball paying a visit to seventh-ranked Linfield University. The Lutes were sabotaged by a pair of big innings midway through both contests on Saturday, dropping game one by a 9-1 scoreline and falling 8-5 in game two. 

"We've prepared all season for one thing— simply the next pitch. Today we let little things become big things. We bounced back in game two and I was pleased with the overall fight we had as a team," said Head Coach Traci Barrett.

The homestanding Wildcats (21-3, 11-1 NWC) struck first in the opener with a two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning. PLU (18-10, 10-6 NWC) responded in the top of the second with Kennedy Kila belting her team-leading ninth home run to whittle the gap down to a single run. Linfield padded its lead with another two-run home run in the third inning, scoring three total runs in the third inning and three more in the fourth on their way to the 9-1 victory.

The Wildcats' Tayah Kelley was nearly unstoppable inside the circle, allowing just one hit and two total baserunners while striking out six. Cassidy Conrad absorbed the decision for the Lutes, pitching the opening 3 1/3 innings and allowing seven hits and striking out one. 

Pacific Lutheran struck first in game two with a Casey Wright single in the first inning scoring Mari Foster. Linfield tied the game at the bottom of the second inning before adding three in the third to take a 4-1 lead.

A Kila double scored Rylie Wada in the fourth inning before Erin McGrath swapped spots with Kila on a double to center field, making it a one-run game. Linfield piled on four runs in the bottom of the fourth, including two on a home run to make it 8-3. PLU chipped into the lead in the fifth with a Paola Garcia double scoring Brooke Tilson and Wada driving in Garcia but was unable to cut into the lead any more, falling 8-5. 

PLU pounded out 11 hits in the nightcap with McGrath, Wright, Garcia, and Wada all finishing with a pair of base knocks.

Kila was the pitcher of record for the Lutes, tossing the opening 4 2/3 innings. Amaya Smith tossed the final 1 1/3, allowing just two hits and allowing no runs. Linfield's Kelley shut down the Lutes over the final two innings, earning the save after recording the final six outs by allowing just one hit and striking out two.

"I look forward to our players trusting themselves and their preparation tomorrow. Even in a day of two losses we had so many moments of joy and teamwork. We're glad we don't have to go home yet and looking forward to more games together tomorrow."

The nationally-ranked foes conclude the series tomorrow with a doubleheader beginning at 12 p.m.