TACOMA, Wash. — The Pacific Lutheran University softball team battled until its final outs, but the Lewis & Clark College River Otters completed a doubleheader sweep, winning both games 5-4 on Thursday.

PLU fell to 14-6 overall and 6-2 in Northwest Conference play, snapping a seven-game winning streak. The Lutes are now tied for first place in the conference standings with Linfield University and Lewis & Clark.

Lewis & Clark opened Game 3 with a statement, launching a three-run home run in the first inning to take an early 3-0 lead. Lex Ahlo-Garcia answered in the second, blasting her first collegiate home run to get PLU on the board and cut the deficit to 3-1.

Alexa Saladin kept the momentum going, driving a triple into the gap to score Zoe Smithson and make it a one-run game, 3-2.

The River Otters capitalized on an error and aggressive base running to add a run in the third, extending the lead to 4-2. Lewis & Clark tacked on another run in the fourth to push its advantage to 5-2.

PLU responded in the bottom of the fourth when pinch hitter Alyssa Fierro delivered a clutch RBI single to make it 5-3. The Lutes threatened again in the seventh, as Kaya Collado singled to left-center to score Paola Garcia and trim the deficit to 5-4.

With runners on second and third and two outs, PLU had a chance to complete the comeback, but the River Otters forced a ground out to end the game.

Maiya Anderson started in the circle for the Lutes in Game 4, going the distance. She allowed four walks and struck out four.

Much like the opener, Lewis & Clark struck first, hitting a solo home run in the second inning to take a 1-0 lead. The River Otters added another run later in the inning, capitalizing on an error with the bases loaded to make it 2-0.

The Lutes answered in the third. Garcia singled to center, and Kamalani Doctor followed with a double to left-center to drive her in and cut the deficit to 2-1. After advancing to third on a steal, Doctor scored on a wild pitch to tie the game at 2-2.

Collado continued her clutch hitting, launching a two-run home run to right field in the fourth to give PLU its first lead of the day, 4-2.

Lewis & Clark delivered the final blow in the seventh, hitting a three-run home run with two outs to retake the lead, 5-4. The River Otters then retired the Lutes in order in the bottom of the inning to secure the sweep.

Pacific Lutheran returns to action Saturday at home against the University of Puget Sound. First pitch is scheduled for noon.