TACOMA – After sweeping the University of Puget Sound in yesterday's doubleheader, the Pacific Lutheran University softball team defeated the Loggers again in the opening game on Saturday, 8-4 to win the series.

"It was special honoring our amazing senior class for all they've given to Luteball and working so hard to bring the program back to what it once was," said PLU Head Coach Traci Barrett. "I know these young women will make a huge impact in the future wherever their feet take them. Our last game was tough. It was one we wanted and fought to the end, but we waited to long. It was a great day of simple and effective at-bats for a few of our girls, but Marley Dyer in Game 2 showed what it looks like to get an opportunity and run with it at the plate. She got us going multiple times and showed our team what it looks like to tell the game 'I'm ready!' We have some work to do to prepare for the NWC Tournament and can't wait to put it on the field again."
 
Game 1
After surrendering four runs in the second inning, the Lutes needed a comeback to win the opening game of the day. PLU scored four runs in the third to take a 6-4 advantage and tacked on two more in the fourth. 
 
It was Senior Day at PLU Field on Saturday, and the Lutes were carried by their departing members in their final home contest.
 
Lute seniors combined for seven of PLU's 12 hits, and seven of the team's eight RBI. Erin McGrath led the way RBI base hits in the first and third, while Anna Foster had a two-run single in the third. Chaella Galapon added PLU's third run-scoring single of the inning and Mari Foster finished off the Loggers with a two-run homer in the fourth.
 
McGrath, Mari Foster and Kennedy Kila all had a pair of hits, while Kila added the Lutes' only free pass of the first game.
 
Cassidy Conrad (14-5) allowed all four runs in the second, but recovered to hold the Loggers scoreless over the final five to earn the win.
 
Game 2
UPS scored the first seven runs of the nightcap to earn an 8-4 victory. PLU rallied for three runs in the bottom of the seventh, but couldn't complete the comeback.
 
Brooke Tilson produced a RBI groundout in the fifth and Kayla Terlecki did the same in the seventh. Galapon hit a pinch-hit two-run home run later in the inning. Casey Wright had two hits and Marley Dyer was 2-for-2 with a walk and two runs scored.
 
Amaya Smith (4-2) was saddled with the loss after allowing seven runs on eight hits in 3 1/3 innings pitched.
 
Next Up
The Lutes (26-14, 18-10 NWC) will play George Fox University in the opening game of the Northwest Conference Tournament on Friday. The Bruins have a doubleheader tomorrow against Whitworth University, which will determine the seeding for George Fox and PLU entering the tournament. It will be held at Linfield University after the Wildcats locked up the league crown. The time has yet to be announced.