Official NWC Release

HILLSBORO, Ore. — The Pacific Lutheran University softball team is picked to finish third in the Northwest Conference standings in 2024 according to the annual NWC Coaches' Poll released on Wednesday by the conference office.
 
The Lutes generated 38 points in the poll to occupy the third spot in the rankings behind reigning league champion Linfield University and George Fox University. Linfield sits atop the poll with 49 points and seven of the eight first place votes while the Bruins are second with 42 points and the remaining first place endorsement.
 
Whitworth University sits fourth with 30 points followed by Lewis & Clark College in fifth with 24 points and Willamette University in sixth with 21 points. Pacific University and University of Puget Sound round out the poll with 11 and nine points, respectively.
 
PLU finished the 2023 campaign with a 27-16 record and an 18-10 mark in conference action and led the nation in slugging percentage (0.540), while sitting second nationally in home runs (52) and home runs per game (1.21).
 
The Lutes play their opening 16 games of the season on the road, a stretch that starts with the season opener on Feb. 23 in California against the University of Redlands. PLU opens NWC play on March 23 in McMinnville, Oregon against Linfield before opening the home slate on March 29 against George Fox.