TACOMA, Wash. --- The Pacific Lutheran University softball team (19-13, 9-11 NWC) took on the No.4-ranked and Northwest Conference-leading Linfield Wildcats (29-3, 19-1 NWC) on Wednesday afternoon in a doubleheader, dropping both games 5-0 and 8-0; a pair of make-up games for rained-out contests earlier in the season.
 
GAME ONE
 
Sophomore Paige Wilson earned the start in game one, consistently performing as the Lutes ace this season. Wilson sat the first two batters down, before a single and a double gave the Wildcats an early 1-0 lead. She also managed to escape a lead-off double in the second, thanks to two fly-outs and a ground-out.
 
The Lutes first hit game in the home half of the third, as Emelia Maza led-off with a double to deep center field, but the Lutes missed the one clutch hit to bring her home and tie the game back up.
 
The nationally ranked Wildcats added to their total in the fifth, as a two-out, two-run, home run extended their lead. They went back-to-back off of Wilson, as the following solo shot gave Linfield a 4-0 lead.
 
The Lutes stranded just one hit over the final three-innings, meanwhile Linfield added one more insurance run in the top of the sixth on a sacrifice fly. No.4 Linfield took game one of Wednesday's double header, 5-0.
 
PLU's two hits came from Brooke Tilson and Emelia Maza, with Maza's earning her extra bases on a lead-off double in the third. Wilson's outing was cut short after freshman Maiya Anderson came in to relieve the Lutes starter inside the circle in the sixth inning. Wilson was credited with the loss in five-innings of work, earning four runs on seven hits. Anderson closed out the final two-innings, earning one run on one hit, and striking out one.
 
GAME TWO
 
Graduate senior Rachael Rhinehart started the second game of the make-up double header, allowing one run in the opening frame, but it was unearned due to an error at second base prior to the RBI-double to left field.
 
The Lutes threatened to answer in the home half, as Sarae led off with a double down the right field line, moving to third after a bunt-single by Zoe Smithson. Although neither runner would come around to score; Linfield held a 1-0 lead after one.
 
Brookelyn Gutierrez and Emelia Maza reached safely to open the second, putting runners on first and third with just one out. Megan Landes hit a deep fly ball to center, earning a tag-up opportunity for the Lutes, but the Wildcats throw was on-the-money, just beating Gutierrez with the throw to the plate, ending the Lutes momentum.
 
Consecutive singles to begin the third for the Wildcats, aided to a three-run home run to left, making it 4-0 Linfield. A later two-out double scored another, giving the No.4 ranked Wildcats a 5-0 lead over the Lutes after three.
 
The Lutes scattered three singles over the third and fourth innings, but were unable to get an RBI-hit. Meanwhile, Linfield knocked Rhinehart out of the game in the fifth, as they scored three runs on four hits to take a commanding 8-0 lead in game two. Although Sarae opened the home fifth with a double, she was left stranded on third, thus cutting the game short, as Linfield took game two on Wednesday, 8-0. The Wildcats earned the season sweep over the Lutes in a series spread over one-month.
 
Bri Sarae's bat caught fire in game two, as she went a perfect 3-3 at the plate with two doubles, while Emelia Maza went 2-2 and Ashleighn McAuley went 2-3. The Lutes stranded eight runners on base, while Rhinehart was given the loss, as she went four-innings, allowing six runs on nine hits, walking two, and striking out one. Treves tossed one inning, allowing just one hit and striking out one as well.
 

"Today was a test of our confidence, and although I was pleased with a lot of defensive moments that took place, we didn't execute offensively." said Head Coach Traci Barrett. 

"Looking forward to getting back on track this weekend and being us. Our pitchers battled in the circle and need some run support to lighten the load that they are carrying. Emelia Maza continues to be a spark plug at the plate for us!"

 
PLU Softball (9-11 NWC) remains No.4 in the Northwest Conference Softball standings, trailing George Fox (15-5 NWC), but ahead of Willamette (8-12 NWC).
 
The Lutes make their final long road trip of the season this weekend, set to face the Whitworth Pirates in a four-game series in Spokane, Wash. beginning on Saturday at 12 p.m.
 
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