TACOMA, Wash. --- The Pacific Lutheran Softball team stuck to their winning ways by complementing strong pitching with timely hits to seal the four-game sweep of Whitworth; their second consecutive series sweep and ninth straight win.

"This weekend was excellent execution of this team's decision to put individual desire on the shelf and take one pitch at a time to be the best version of itself. That starts in practice, moves into the locker rooms, spreads through the dugout and the field is where it finds its last stop." Said Traci Barrett, Softball Head Coach, following the Lutes 8-0 and 4-3 wins on Sunday.
 
Game One
 
Rachel Treves earned the starting nod in Sunday's opener, giving up a leadoff single before retiring the next three batters in order to make it 21 consecutive shutout innings for the pitching staff. The Lutes would strike first in the home half of the third inning, as Syan Yamamoto led off with a double to right field; Yamamoto's hit was likely a single for most runners, but her speed helped her stretch it into a double and put her into scoring position. Kamalani Doctor's single moved Yamamoto to third, helping senior Casey Wright to hit a sacrifice fly to right field to give the Lutes a 1-0 lead.
 
As Treves continued to scatter a pair of hits over the next few innings, the Lutes gave their starter some insurance runs in the fifth. Zoe Smithson and Yamamoto opened the inning with a pair of singles, before Doctor's ground out scored Yamamoto to give the Lutes a 2-0 lead. Wright would work a walk and Rylie Wada loaded the bases on a fielder's choice, setting up Paola Garcia to double to deep left centerfield, clearing the bases and extending the lead to 5-0.
 
Following a minor rain delay in the bottom of the sixth, Smithson's double but her and Brooke Tilson in scoring position, later scoring on a wild pitch. Yamamoto drove in Tilson with a sacrifice fly to make it a 7-0 game. A pair of walks with one out led to a Wada single through the right side of the infield, scoring the Lutes eighth run of the game and ending the game due to mercy rule.
 
Treves picked up her third win of the season as the Lutes clinched the series win and extended their shutout streak to three games (20 innings). Treves scattered five hits in six innings of work, walking none and striking out two.

"Rachel Treves threw a great game, weathered a rain delay, and was ready to close out the game but the offense took care of business! I'm happy to see us growing each week."
 
Yamamoto provided the fuel for the Lutes to keep their winning ways going, as she went two-for-two with an RBI in the game. Garcia's power led to a two-for-three effort, driving in three runners late in the game.
 
"I'm thrilled with the positive things this group is doing to support each other, and this weekend's wins are a testament to that work over the past month… it may have taken this young group some time, but it is fun to see!"

Game Two
 
Looking for their second consecutive series sweep, Head Coach Traci Barrett put the ball in the hands of Rachael Rhinehart. Rhinehart allowed a two-out double in the first but struck out the next batter to keep the shutout streak alive.
 
Designated player Emma Ware hit a two-out single followed by a Garcia walk that opened the door for senior Molly House to put the Lutes on the board early in the afternoon game. House's single up the middle scored Ware, giving the Lutes a 1-0 lead. The Lutes lead was further extended in the second inning, once again with two outs. House hit her second single in as many at-bats, advancing Garcia to second. Tilson ripped the Lutes third consecutive hit, scoring Garcia before Tilson was called out at second base.
 
The Lutes scoreless streak on the mound came close to ending in the fourth, as Rhinehart loaded the bases with just one out. A clutch double play on a ball hit back to the pitcher ended the inning with the Lutes still leading 2-0.
 
For the third time in the game the Lutes executed timely two-out hitting, as Doctor worked a walk and Wright doubled to right center. Wada came through with a single through the infield, scoring the two and extending the Lutes lead to 4-0 through four innings.
 
After 24 scoreless innings from the Lutes pitching staff, the Pirates got on the board with two runs in the fifth, to make it a 4-2 ball game. As Rhinehart remained on the mound for her 14^th inning of work on the weekend, a single and a walk led to a two-out double, scoring one and cutting the Lutes lead to 4-3. A fielding error by Wada at third loaded the bases but failed to score the runner at third. Rhinehart gave the Lutes their ninth consecutive win, ending the game with a routine ground ball to second base.
 
"Paola was an absolute clutch hitter all weekend! Casey Wright and Molly House, along with Rylie's walk-off, run-rule, hit in game one gave our pitchers the support they needed."

"I have never had a pitching staff throw three shutouts in a weekend; let alone from three different pitchers! They've worked really hard and it's paying off! The defense behind them is growing stronger and it gets more difficult to get hits off of them every week! Amazing plays all weekend from our entire defense!"

Rhinehart moves to 7-8 on the season, her sixth win in her last seven starts. She gave up seven hits and allowed two runs while striking out three and walking three. Wright, Garcia, and House accounted for six of the Lutes 10 total hits in the series finale. Wada, House, and Tilson each racked up one RBI a-piece.

"We also loved partnering with our campus group, The Hidden Opponent, to shine a light on mental health awareness! We appreciate Whitworth for sharing in that venture with us and wearing green as well!"
 
The Lutes head into their final regular season series of the season next week, taking on Puget Sound in four games; two of which at home on Friday.
 
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