TACOMA, Wash. — The Pacific Lutheran University baseball team's six game win streak came to a halt on Saturday, getting edged 8-6 by Northwest Conference rival Whitworth University in a soggy showdown at PLU Field. 
 
Ashton Barton got things started in the bottom of the first inning blasting a solo home run to left field for the early 1-0 lead. Three consecutive walks loaded the bases for the Lutes (15-16, 9-10 NWC) in the third inning with Ashton Barton absorbing a hit by pitch to drive in Hayden Kaiser to double the gap.
 
The Pirates (9-22, 6-14 NWC) answered in the top of the fourth, pushing across a run before taking the leads in the top of the sixth after plating for runs.
 
A Cole Trotignon single scored Ashton Barton in the bottom of the sixth before coming home later in the frame on a Carson Burke base knock, narrowing the gap to just a single run. 
 
Sean Kauffman tied the game in the bottom of the seventh, scoring on a wild pitch before a Trotignon single scored Braeden Lundberg to reclaim the lead at 6-5. 
 
The PLU lead proved fleeting with the Pirates generating three runs in the eighth inning to take an 8-6 advantage. The Lutes had the tying run at the plate in the bottom of the ninth with one out but Whitworth did just enough to get two outs and avoid the series sweep.
 
Barton and Trotignon both finished two-for-four at the plate with a pair of RBIs. All told, seven Lutes finished with a base hit on a soggy day at PLU Field.
 
Trotignon struck out three in 5 1/3 innings of work. Wyatt Norris tossed 2 1/3 of middle relief while Chris Moreno was ultimately saddled with the decision, allowing two hits and striking out one.
 
Despite the loss, the Lutes still won the overall series by virtue of 10-2 and 3-2 wins over the Pirates on Friday afternoon. 
 
Saturday was senior day with the program honoring Sean Kauffman, Spencer Howell, Alex Boyd, Andy Schmitz, Cody Bentley, and Cole Trotignon prior to first pitch. The 2023 seniors have won 69 games over the past four seasons, including 45 in NWC play. 

"It was a tough one today," said Head Coach Nolan Soete.

"It was a good battle, we just came up short. These six seniors have done so much for the program over the years. They've represented themselves and this program in a professional manner on and off the field. I'm thankful for their dedication to our team over the years and we will definitely miss them all. I have no doubt they will all be very successful beyond graduation."
 
The Lutes are back on the diamond on Wednesday with a doubleheader in McMinnville, Oregon against Linfield University.