COLUMBUS, Ga. --- The Pacific Lutheran University softball team rebounded from a heartbreaking loss to end their first day at the NFCA Leadoff Classic, putting up a total of 24-runs on their opponents on Saturday; going 2-0 on day two, with wins over LeTourneau and Piedmont.
 
GAME ONE
 
Syan Yamamoto got the Saturday started with a leadoff double right out of the gate, followed by a Zoe Smithson double to trade places with the Lutes infielder. In the very next at-bat, Kamalani Doctor ripped a home run to deep left field, putting the Lutes up 3-0 with no outs in the first inning.
 
After LeTourneau escaped the first allowing just three runs, they added one of their own, thanks to a double and a pair of singles off of the Lutes starter in Rachel Treves. The Lutes added another run to their lead in the second, as Brooklyn Gutierrez led off with a double, followed by a Yamamoto single. Smithson later drove in Yamamoto with a single of her own after Gutierrez was thrown out trying to steal home.
 
In the home half of the second, the Yellowjackets tallied five runs off of Treves, forcing Head Coach Traci Barrett to bring in sophomore pitcher Paige Wilson in relief. LeTourneau took their first lead of the game, 5-4, after two innings.
 
But the Yellowjacket lead didn't last long, as Brooke Tilson, Kamalani Doctor, and the Lutes notched six runs in the top of the third. A two-run homer from Tilson put the Lutes up 6-5, but a later three-run jack by Doctor made it a 10-5 game. Wilson settled in inside the circle, maintaining the Lutes comfortable lead for multiple innings.
 
PLU added a pair of runs to start the sixth, as Tilson's single drove in Meghan Landes and Bri Sarae, making it a 12-5 Lutes lead. The Yellowjackets scored one in the home half of the inning, cutting the deficit to just six with one to play.
 
The bats stayed hot for the seventh, as the Lutes put an exclamation point on an already impressive offensive performance, with Ashleighn McAuley driving in two with a single to center, followed by a Gillian Renzullo homer to give the Lutes a commanding 16-6 lead. LeTourneau fought back when down to their final three outs, adding three runs, but it was too-little, too-late, as the Lutes got back in the win column with a 16-9 win on Saturday afternoon.
 
Yamamoto and Smithson shined at the plate, as the former went 4-4 and the latter went 3-4 with three runs batted in. Doctor's power showed on Saturday, knocking in five runs with her pair of hits. Wilson earned the win inside the circle, after coming in relief to pitch 5.1 innings, allowing just three runs on five hits; she notched her first win of the season. The Lutes tallied 18 total hits in their 16 runs, leading just seven on the basepaths.
 
GAME TWO
 
After an impressive showing at the plate in Saturday's opener, the Lute bats were cold to begin game two, getting sat down 1-2-3 in the first. Piedmont got on the board first in the home half of the inning, as a two-out single scored one, putting the Lions up 1-0 early.
 
The Lutes managed to scrap just one hit in the first three innings of play, as Tilson's single in the second resulted in her stranded on the bases. Piedmont piled onto their lead in the home half of the third, scoring five runs on three hits, thanks to a clutch two-out, bases loaded, triple. The Lions also loaded in the bases with one-out in the fourth, ending Rachael Rhinehart's outing as the Lutes starter. Wilson came in relief for a second-straight game, closing the door on the fourth without allowing any further damage.
 
Trailing 6-0 with just two hits through the first four innings, the Lute bats woke up in the top of the fifth, with Gutierrez leading off the inning with a double to left. Smithson and Blakely hit singles to the outfield grass to score three, before a pitching change led to a Cagle two-run single, making it 4-6 with one-out. Sarae reaching on a fielder's choice, clearing the way for a Tilson single to right, tying the game up at 6-6 through five innings.
 
With the game still tied entering the seventh, the Lutes took the lead on a double-steal with two outs, where Calcagno stole home and Tilson took second, putting the Lutes up 7-6. Maya Grado then hit a single to left, scoring Tilson, and giving the Lutes a 8-6 lead entering the home half of the final inning.
 
Wilson capped off an impressive Saturday performance, sitting the Lions down 1-2-3 with a pair of strikeouts, giving the Lutes a come-from-behind 8-6 win in game two.
 
Tilson notched three of the Lutes ten total hits in the game, as her two runs batted in were tied with Smithson for the team-high. Five more Lutes saw playing time, coming in pinch-hit and pinch-run scenarios, including Kimara Blakely, Morgan Calcagno, Jaimee Cagle, Bri Sarae, and Emelia Maza. After yet another relief appearance, Wilson slammed the door on the Lions, going 3.2 no-hit innings, walking just two and striking out three. She earned her second win of the day, and of the season on Saturday's night cap. The Lutes bats weren't as hot as in game one, but still notched an impressive ten hits en route to their eight runs.
 
"We had so much fight today. It was so awesome. Our opponents are strong competitors and you can't fall asleep in any of these games." Said Head Coach Traci Barrett.
 
"Paige Wilson today was a massive factor in both games coming in to shut down our opponent and allow our offense to get going. It was really awesome to see, considering she dealt with injury all last season, and for her to come in and get stronger every outing…she was lights out today, I'm so proud of her!"
 
"Brooke Tilson is doing a phenomenal job in our infield and has a bat right now that is hot and it's fun to see her put all these things together in her senior year."
 
"Also Kamalani Doctor, just offensively, it's a really cool thing to see that we have gone through many players in our dugout getting in, taking on pivotal roles, and getting things done."
 
"In the second game, Jaimee Cagle, who hadn't played at this point, she came in in a pinch-hit situation and ends up driving in runs. She's three for three and she did a heck of a job in right field; everybody's contributing. It's just awesome. I'm looking forward to tomorrow and finishing strong!"
 
 
The Lutes close out the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Georgia on Sunday, set to face Saint Benedict and Wartburg. They will then head further south to Leesburg, Florida, for The Spring Games, where they will see six more tournament matchups to close out the non-conference season.
 
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