NEWBERG, Ore. —The Pacific Lutheran University softball team outhit host George Fox University in both ends of its Northwest Conference doubleheader on Sunday but it wasn't enough as the Bruins snuck away with 8-7 and 5-0 victories to finish off the weekend series. 
 
Game one saw the Lutes (12-6, 2-4 NWC) hammer the Bruins (7-8, 2-2 NWC) in the first inning but the hosts weathered the storm, chipping away and scoring the final five runs of the game to sneak away with the 8-7 victory.

Kamalani Doctor got things rolling for the Lutes in the first inning, belting a three-run home run over the left center field fence, scoring Zoe Smithson, and Jaimee Cagle. Bri Sarae scored Morgan Calcagno on an RBI fielder's choice before a Brooke Tilson single scored Sarae making it a 5-0 Lute advantage. 

George Fox scored three in the second but the Lutes piled on two more runs in the fourth. A Brookelyn Gutierrez bases loaded walk scored Smithson before a Sarae sacrifice fly scored Doctor to make it 7-3.

The Bruins plated three in the fourth inning before a Sharon Tomei two-run home run in the sixth inning made it 8-7 in favor of GFU. In the seventh inning Brooke Tilson milked a one-out walk to put the potential winning run at the plate but a fly out and a ground out ended the Lutes' chances. 

 PLU outhit the hosts in the opener, cranking out 11 hits from seven different players. Smithson led the way, going three-of-four with two runs scored while Doctor and Tilson both finished with a pair of hits. 
 
Rachael Rhinehart and Paige Wilson combined for seven strikeouts on the day with Wilson getting tagged with the decision. Wilson tossed the final three innings of the game, allowing just three hits and striking out five. 
 
The Lutes outhit the Bruins 7-6 in game two but it wasn't enough to get the win. George Fox pushed across two runs in both the bottom of the first and second innings before tacking on an insurance run in the fourth inning for the 5-0 victory. Pacific Lutheran stranded seven runners on the base in the nightcap, including having the bases loaded in the first inning. 
 
Smithson and Doctor led the charge in game two, both finishing two-for-three at the dish.
 
Paige Wilson tossed 4 2/3 innings of relief for the Lutes, allowing just two hits and one run while striking out seven.

"This team is working so hard and I'm proud of how they play the game," said Head Coach Traci Barrett.

"We're hitting the ball hard but they weren't falling in our favor today. Zoe is consistently winning her at bats and going into the box with confidence. Paige worked hard this week and after the crossover inning dominated a powerful lineup."
 
The Lutes are back on the diamond on Tuesday, hosting second-ranked Linfield University in a doubleheader beginning at 12 p.m.

"To be ready for Linfield on Tuesday our team will work to remove the fear of failure and trust our preparation. We need to be playing loose and not overthink being down in the count or behind in the game and take things one pitch at a time."