TACOMA, Wash. — The Pacific Lutheran University softball team battled the elements and the Lewis & Clark College River Otters, coming away with a 4-1 win in Game 1 and a 7-6 walk-off victory in Game 2 on Wednesday evening.
The Lutes improved to 14-4 overall and 6-0 in Northwest Conference play. The River Otters fell to 9-9 overall and 4-2 in NWC play. Previously, PLU had gone 1-3 in its last four meetings against Lewis & Clark, with all four contests decided by three runs or fewer.
Maiya Anderson got the start in the circle for the Lutes, pitching three straight scoreless innings and retiring the first 10 hitters before allowing a hit in the fourth.
Kaya Collado sparked the offense in the third with a single to center field. Paola Garcia followed with a two-run home run to give the Lutes a 2-0 lead. Lewis & Clark answered in the fourth, scoring once to cut the deficit to 2-1.
Lex Ahlo-Garcia led off the fourth with a single to begin a productive inning for PLU. Syan Yamamoto and Alex Saladin capitalized on defensive miscues, using heads-up base running to score two runs and extend the lead to 4-1.
That proved to be enough, as the Lutes' defense held firm. Anderson tossed a complete game, improving to 5-0 on the season. She allowed just two hits while striking out five over seven innings.
Game 2 featured everything from rain and sunshine to delays, home runs, extra innings and a walk-off finish.
Garcia stayed hot at the plate, hitting her second two-run home run of the day in the first inning to give PLU a 2-0 lead. Lewis & Clark responded in the third with a run to make it 2-1. Garcia struck again later, launching a solo home run to left field — her second of the game and third of the day — to extend the lead to 3-1.
Emelia Maza added to the offense with a double to right field, driving in Kamalani Doctor to make it 4-1.
The River Otters answered in the fifth, scoring on a wild pitch. Zoe Smithson led off the inning with a single and quickly advanced to second with a stolen base. Mya Grado's sacrifice fly brought Smithson home, giving PLU a 5-2 lead.
Lewis & Clark rallied late, tying the game before taking a 6-5 lead in the seventh inning. Grado and Saladin reached base for PLU, setting the stage for Collado, who delivered an RBI single to bring Saladin home and tie the game at 6-6.
Paige Wilson and the Lutes' defense came up with key plays to keep the River Otters off the board in extra innings. In the bottom of the ninth, Collado singled, and Garcia and Doctor drew walks to load the bases. With Maza at the plate, a pitch got past the catcher, allowing Collado to slide home for the walk-off win.
Wilson pitched all nine innings, earning the win and improving to 6-1 on the season. She finished with eight strikeouts.
Pacific Lutheran continues its series against the River Otters on Thursday at PLU Field, with first pitch set for 11 a.m.
