CLERMONT, Fla. — It was the Zoe Smithson show on Friday as the Pacific Lutheran University softball squad steamrolled a pair of opponents to open the Spring Games at Hancock Park. Smithson finished the day with five hits and seven RBIs as the Lutes racked up a 9-1 mercy rule victory over Roger Williams University before blasting North Central College 7-2. 

"It was great to have a more dominant day in the circle with Paige and Rachel both throwing complete games," said Head Coach Traci Barrett. 

"One of the biggest improvements that we made today was our defense and where to go when the balls in play. We were excited about what we saw and we still have people ready to go every time their numbers called. Our opponents wanted nothing to do with Zoe Smithson. She was unstoppable at the plate today."

Smithson got the Lutes (6-2) on the board in the opener in the third inning, belting a triple to score Syan Yamamoto. The Hawks (0-1) answered with a run of their own in the top of the fourth before PLU added a half dozen runs in the bottom of the frame. 

Brookelyn Gutierrez plated two runs on a double to center field to open the scoring in the fourth before Smithson drive in two more on a single down the right field line. PLU would tack on two more runs in the inning, with Smithson and Kamalani Doctor both scoring unearned runs making it 7-1. 

Smithson was at it again in the fifth inning, belting a double to score two runs and enact the mercy rule.
 
Smithson finished three-for-four with four RBIs while Brooke Tilson was two-for-three at the dish, scoring two runs.

Paige Wilson tossed a complete game, striking out nine while allowing just one hit and only two walks.

PLU surged out to a 5-0 lead in game two against North Central and never looked back to earn the squad's second win of the day.

It was Smithson again for the Lutes, tripling to left field to score Jaycie Simpliciano in the third inning. The junior would double PLU's lead later in the inning, stealing home to make it 2-0. 

Gutierrez scored on an error in the fourth inning before a Smithson double brought in two more runs, making it 5-0 PLU.

The Cardinals (0-1) pushed across a single run in the fifth inning but PLU responded with two more runs in the sixth on its way to the 7-2 victory.

Smithson finished the second game going two-for-four with three RBIs and two runs scored while Simpliciano was three-for-three with three runs scored. 

Rachel Rhinehart staked the win inside the circle, going the distance and striking out four while allowing just two runs.

PLU is back in action tomorrow, facing Widener University at 11:15 a.m. (ET) and Gordon College at 2 p.m. (ET) in Winter Haven.