SALEM, Ore. --- The Pacific Lutheran University softball team (15-11, 5-9 NWC) came up short in a pair of make-up games on Tuesday afternoon, as the Willamette Bearcats (13-12, 5-10 NWC) took both games in shutout fashion.
 
GAME ONE
 
Graduate senior Rachael Rhinehart earned the starting nod in the first game of the midweek doubleheader, as the Lutes stranded one runner in the top half of the inning, reaching on an error. Kimara Blakely had the first hit of the game to open the top of the second, but the pinch runner, Morgan Calcagno, was stranded on second to end the inning.
 
The Bearcats loaded the bases with no outs to begin the home half of the second, scoring three runs on a walk, fielding error, and a single. Rhinehart escaped any further damage with a pair of groundouts to end the inning. Willamette added one more in the third, as a passed ball and wild pitch scored the leadoff batter, putting them up 4-0 through three innings. Freshman Maiya Anderson came in to relieve Rhinehart inside the circle, where she would pitch the final four innings of the game.
 
Kamalani Doctor notched the Lutes second hit of the game in the top of the fourth, a single into left field, but she would not advance past second base. The Bearcats tallied their fifth run of the game in the bottom half, as a one-out triple brought in the leadoff batter who reached on a single.
 
Both teams combined for just one hit over the final two and a-half-innings of play, where Willamette would take game one of the make-up double header, 5-0.
 
The lone two hits for the Lutes came from Kamalani Doctor and Kimara Blakely, while Rhinehart moves to 4-4 inside the circle, throwing just two innings and earning one run. The Lutes pitchers earned just two of the five runs scored by the Bearcats, due to a pair of costly fielding errors.
 
GAME TWO
 
Sophomore Paige Wilson started Tuesday's final game in the circle, with hopes of continuing her dominant performances over the past two series'. Docter began the game with a one-out double in the top of the first, but the momentum was halted with a strikeout and fielder's choice to end the inning.
 
The Lutes were able to earn a hit in each of the first five innings of play, but both teams remained scoreless as Wilson held the Bearcats without a base runner through the first three innings; Willamette's only baserunners came in the fourth, both reaching on a pair of fielding errors.
 
Wilson's dominant performance on the mound continued deep in the Tuesday afternoon's game, going 6.1 innings before allowing her first hit. A one-out double threatened to end the game in the final inning, but the sophomore escaped the jam with a pair of lineouts.
 
 
Still scoreless in extra-innings, the Lutes hit a pair of singles in the eighth, but two strikeouts ended the Lutes threat to score. PLU also had two two-out singles in the top of the ninth, but Smithson's deep fly ball stayed in the park.
 
Wilson kept her scoreless one-hitter going into her ninth-inning of work, as three errors and one single scored the Bearcats game-winning run. The Lutes drop the series to the Bearcats, 3-1, making up for two prior rained-out games this season.
 
Doctor led the way with an impressive 3-5 game at the plate, while Brookelyn Gutierrez went 2-4. Wilson threw eight total innings, giving up just two hits, zero walks, and one strikeout. Willamette's one run was not earned for Wilson.
 
"While we were trying to capitalize on last weekend's momentum, the bats just didn't show up today. Our intent and energy was there, but the adjustments at the plate were not." Said Head Coach Traci Barrett.
 
"I'm very happy with Paige Wilson and the dominant performance today in the circle. Kamalani Doctor was a spark plug for us at the plate! I'm so glad we play again this week to show the game who we are."
 
The Lutes return to PLU Field for a four-game series against the Pacific Boxers this Friday and Saturday, before hosting No.4-ranked Linfield for two mid-week games next Wednesday.
 
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