REDLANDS, Calif. --- The Pacific Lutheran Softball team opened the season in a doubleheader against the Redlands Bulldogs, dropping both games late by scores of 4-3 and 7-3.
 
Game One
 
Paige Wilson got the start in the circle for the Lutes in the first game of the season, holding the Bulldogs scoreless on two hits through the first two innings. A pair of two-out singles by Zoe Smithson and Molly House in the top of the first lead to a scoreless frame as Rylie Wada was unable to drive Smithson in from second.
 
With the first two batters going down for the Lutes to start the third, reigning NWC Rookie of the Year, Paola Garcia got on base with a single and followed up with a stolen base. A Smithson walk and House single would set Wada up with the bases loaded. The senior found the outfield grass with a single, scoring two in the process. Casey Wright added her first RBI of the reason with a single back to the pitcher, scoring House from third.
 
Wilson maintained a strong outing for the Lutes through the first five frames, allowing just four hits. But the sixth proved to be the turning point in the game, as Redlands tacked on four runs on three hits to take a 4-3 lead, highlighted by a leadoff home run.
 
Down 4-3 heading to the final half-inning, the Lutes went 1-2-3 aganst the Bulldogs closer to fall in the first game of the season, 4-3. Wilson went all six innings on the mound for the Lutes, allowing four runs on seven hits, but just one run was earned due to two errors in the field by the Lutes. Garcia and House led with two hits apiece, while Wada earned two of the three PLU runs batted in.
 
Game Two
 
Graduate Transfer Rachael Rhinehart started on the mound for the Lutes in game two; her first career appearance in the black and gold. Redlands picked up right where they left off, with a leadoff double followed by an RBI single to take a 1-0 lead early in the final game of the day.
 
Brooke Tilson got the first hit for the Lutes in the top of the third, to which she would later steal second base. A strike out and fly out, left Wilson in scoring position. A pair of walks from Rhinehart led to another run scored on a fielder's choice to extend the Redlands lead to 2-0.
 
Kassidi Dean opened the fifth with a single, which led to a pitching change for the Bulldogs. A Tilson single paved the way for Garcia to smack her first home run of the season, and put the Lutes on top with one swing; 3-2 Lutes.
 
Rhinehart's tank ran out with two down in the home half of the sixth, where the Bulldogs went double, single, and hit-by-pitch to knock the graduate transfer out of the game with the score tied, 3-3.
 
Sophomore Rachel Treves came in relief for Rhinehart, giving up consecutive base hits that led to three runs for Redlands. Following an error by the Lutes at first base, the Bulldogs would extend their lead to 7-3. The Bulldogs pitching staff would shut down the Lutes in the final inning, and earn their second win of the day coming in the home half of the sixth.
 
Rhinehart is credited with the loss after going five and two-thirds innings, earning five runs, three strikeouts, and two walks on 82 pitches. Tilson went two for three at the dish, meanwhile Garcia went one for four with three runs batted in.
 
"Certainly not the start we were hoping for, going 0-2 today, against a team we matched up really well against. We had a lot of positive moments and performances out of players, but failed to execute the timely hit when needed." Said Head Coach Traci Barrett following the doubleheader. "Rylie Wada in game one and Paola Garcia in game two had clutch moments to put us on the board. I was pleased with our performance in the circle overall and look forward to growing our endurance to finish games as strong as we start them. Tomorrow's a new day."
 
The Lutes will look to get in the win column tomorrow in La Verne, California where they will take on the Leopards in a doubleheader beginning at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.
 
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