TACOMA – After beating Lewis and Clark College 6-1 in the opening game of Wednesday's doubleheader, Kennedy Kila hit a walkoff, solo home run in the eighth inning of Game 2 to propel the Pacific Lutheran University softball team to a 3-2 victory and a sweep of the Pioneers in a critical Northwest Conference doubleheader.  
 
"Luteball intent and energy was on point in both games today," said PLU Head Coach Traci Barrett.
 
"Our dugout was the one constant in the games today that kept every facet of the game balanced for us. We stayed true to being US and that was today's goal. Cass and Amaya both pitched complete games with great efficiency. We had relief pitchers ready, but they got stronger as the game went on. Our offense got going late in both games, but was enough to secure two wins. Emma Ware had huge moments in both games, coming in to get us going as a pinch hitter. Her leadoff hit in the seventh was the difference maker for Paola's home run to tie it up. Her confidence was contagious in Game 1 and the team rallied behind the start she gave us. Erin McGrath showed excellent discipline and tied yet another record for most career bases as a Lute. Kila had been working all game to make adjustments in the nightcap and her towering hit leaving the yard make for a fun win."
 
With the pair of victories, the Lutes need just one win over the weekend against the University of Puget Sound to clinch their second straight appearance in the Northwest Conference Tournament. PLU is currently in third place in the league standings at 15-9 and just one game back of George Fox University for second.
 
Game 1
Lewis and Clark opened the scoring in the first when Lute starter Cassidy Conrad walked in the only run of the game for the visitors. The Lute offense was held scoreless for the first three innings before finally breaking out in the fourth on Paola Garcia's two-run home run. PLU didn't look back scoring another run on a single by Emma Ware in the fifth to make it 3-1. The Lutes added three more in the sixth as Mari Foster had a RBI double and Casey Wright and Erin McGrath both had RBI singles.
 
Conrad (11-5) picked up the win after tossing all seven innings and allowing just three hits. Offensively, Foster, Wright, McGrath and Garcia all had two hits and at least one RBI.
 
Game 2
The Pioneers struck in the first again in Game 2 and added another run for a 2-0 lead in the fifth off of Lute starter Amaya Smith. It was another two-run home run by Paola Garcia in the seventh inning that tied things up and extended the game for the home team. It was the freshman's ninth home run of the season.
 
After Smith (4-1) tossed a scoreless eighth, it was Kila's turn to life the Lutes to victory. Her home run to right field was her 12^th of the season and allowed PLU to walk off victorious.
 
With a leadoff single in the fourth, McGrath tied Gretchen Ruecker for most total bases at PLU with 355. Ruecker played at PLU from 2003-06.
 
For the game, McGrath added her third walk of the day in addition to her single. Rylie Wada added a double for the Lute attack.
 
The Lutes (23-13) will host the Loggers on Saturday at 12:00 p.m. for their final home doubleheader of the season. PLU closes the regular season on Sunday at UPS with an 11:00 a.m. first pitch.