TACOMA, Wash. --- The Pacific Lutheran University softball team (19-11, 9-9 NWC) earned a hard-fought series sweep over the Boxers of Pacific University (5-21, 5-15 NWC) on Saturday, winning game one 5-4 before a 3-0 shutout to cap off the series.
 
GAME ONE
 
Graduate senior Rachael Rhinehart earned the start for the third game of the series on Saturday morning, retiring the side in order to begin the game. The Lutes wasted no time getting to work, as catcher Bri Sarae opened the game up with a double to deep left field; continuing her strong weekend at the plate. Zoe Smithson singled to bring in Sarae, putting the Lutes up 1-0 through one.
 
In the home half of the second, Emelia Maza ripped a two-out single, followed by a single from Jaycie Simpliciano, and a third from Sarae, to extend the Lutes lead to 2-0. Pacific applied pressure on Rhinehart in the third, as three singles loaded the bases with one-out. Rhinehart got the next batter to ground out to Yamamoto, who would step on second and throw to first to execute the inning-ending double play.
 
Rhinehart once again navigated pressure, as a leadoff triple failed to score on her in the top of the fourth, thanks to a pair of strikeouts. In the home fourth, Tilson and Maza hit consecutive doubles, scoring one. Smithson doubled and Kamalani Doctor singled to put the Lutes up 5-0 through four.
 
Pacific began the fifth with three singles and double, cutting intot he Lutes lead, making it 5-4, before freshman Maiya Anderson came in relief of Rhinehart. Anderson sat down three-straight batters to keep it a 5-4 ballgame.
 
The Lutes scattered one hit over the final two and a-half innings, while Anderson faced the minimum, earning a save, and giving the Lutes a narrow 5-4 win; meaning the Lutes would take the series over the Boxers with a sweep still on the table.
 
Maza went a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate in game one, scoring two runs and driving in one herself. Sarae and Smithson followed close with two hits each, with Smithson driving in a team-high two runs batted in. As a team, the Lutes put the ball in play consistently each inning, as nobody struck out in the game. Rhinehart earned the win, moving her season record to 5-4, as she went four innings, earning three runs on nine hits, and striking out four. Anderson, who relieved Rhinehart inside the circle, earned the nine-out save. The freshman struck out three batters, and failed to allow a hit in innings five through seven, shutting the door on a Boxers comeback.
 
GAME TWO
 
Sophomore Paige Wilson got the start inside the circle for game two, looking to match her 13-strikeout outing in yesterday's 8-2 series-opening win over the Boxers. Wilson sat down the first five Boxers she faced before allowing her first hit with two-outs in the second.
 
The Lutes got on the board in the home third, as Brooke Tilson singled up the middle, scoring on a single by Bri Sarae, putting the Lutes up 1-0. An inning later, Zoe Smithson led-off with a double to right-center field, as she and Kamalani Doctor would score on Tilson's double down the right field line; making it 3-0 Lutes after three.
 
PLU's offense slowed down, but Wilson didn't do so inside the circle. The sophomore cruised to a 91-pitch complete game shutout, as she managed one baserunner in each the sixth and seventh innings.
 
Sarae went 3-4 at the plate, driving in one, capping off an impressive weekend offensively for the freshman. Tilson drove in a pair, as she went 2-3 at the dish with a double. Kamalani Doctor worked a walk, as well as went 2-2 at the plate. Wilson (8-3) earned the seven-inning complete game shutout, allowing just three hits, striking out eight, and walking just one. Bringing her strikeout total for the weekend to 21. Her ERA for the season moves to 3.22, with batters hitting just .178 against her.
 
"There's nothing better than a growth weekend!" Said Head Coach Traci Barrett.
 
"We did some good work this week, both internally and skill-wise. We were able to make adjustments in all four games, securing us each win. Our pitching staff was very challenging to hit this weekend. Topped off with Paige Wilson 21 strikeouts and Rachael Rhinehart, Rachel Treves, and Maiya Anderson combining for 13. Bri Sarae and Emelia Maza lead us in showing the way, keeping things simple, and executing at the plate! Proud of rock-solid defense for 28 innings!"

Lute Sports Network's Jordan Ross caught up with sophomore pitcher Paige Wilson following Softball's series sweep of the Boxers! ????#GoLutes pic.twitter.com/SK2rqgwLc9

— PLU Athletics (@golutes) April 20, 2025

 
The Lutes will host the No.4-ranked Linfield Wildcats in a double header next Wednesday, making up for rain-out games earlier in the season. Wednesday's games will begin at 12 p.m. on PLU Field.
 
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