MCMINNVILLE, Ore. --- The three-seeded Pacific Lutheran softball team dropped their first game of the Northwest Conference tournament to second-seeded Lewis & Clark, 8-3, on Friday. The Lutes 13-game winning streak was snapped in the first game of postseason play.
 
On the mound was the Lutes ace, graduate transfer Rachael Rhinehart. With the Lutes earning the third seed in the conference tournament, they were the away team in a neutral site matchup against the Pioneers. But it was the Pioneers who struck first in the home half of the opening frame, as Rhinehart allowed a pair of two-out walks. After advancing on a wild pitch, the Pioneers took a 2-0 lead on a single into left field.
 
Unable to get a hit through the first two and a-third innings, the Lutes broke the ice as Kamalani Doctor ripped a single through the left side of the infield. Doctor stole second and scored on a Casey Wright single to left centerfield, cutting the deficit to 2-1. In the top of the third, Paola Garcia doubled to right field with one out, leading to a Molly House RBI single to knot the game at 2-2.
 
The tie game wouldn't last long though, as Rhinehart allowed a leadoff double to open the bottom of the fourth. Her day was done following the extra base hit, going three innings in her NWC tournament debut. Paige Wilson came in to relieve the Lutes starter. Wilson was able to strikeout the first batter she faced, but a walk and a single would load the bases in favor of the Pios. Wilson walked in one runner and scored another on a fielder's choice.
 
Trailing 4-2 in the fifth, Wada's two-out single scored Zoe Smithson from second to make it 4-3. But the Pioneers continued to add on in the home half, scoring two more runs on a two-out double to left center after the Lutes surrendered an infield error just two batter prior; after five, the Pioneers led 6-3.
 
The home half of the sixth opened with Wilson allowing a single and a double before her outing came to a close. Rachel Treves entered the circle for the Lutes, inheriting two baserunners with no outs. Treves sat one batter down before her second doubled to left field and further extended the Pioneers lead to 8-3.
 
Senior Kassidi Dean opened the final frame for the Lutes with a single, but with a pair of fly-outs, Paola Garcia was unable to extend the game, striking out on three pitches to end the game.
 
The Lutes 13-game win streak came to a close under the lights on Friday, as Rhinehart was credited with just her second loss in her previous nine starts. The starter went three innings, earning three runs on two hits and surrendering four walks. With eight hits as a team, the Lutes out-hit the Pioneers by one hit, but the black and gold stranded six runners on the base paths. Wada shined in the final tournament opener of her career, going 2-4 with one RBI.
 
The Lutes are set to face Willamette tomorrow afternoon in a win-or-go-home dual. The No.1 ranked team in the nation, the Linfield Wildcats survived an eight-inning thriller to beat Willamette 6-5 to open the tournament. The winner of the Lutes and Bearcats matchup will face either Linfield or Lewis & Clark in another elimination game.
 
To follow Lutes coverage all season long, please follow us on social media; PLU Athletics on Facebook, @GoLutes on X.com and Instagram.