COLUMBUS, Ga.— The Pacific Lutheran University softball team dominated day two defeating Stevens Institute of Technology 14-6 in game one and LaGrange College 10-0 in game two on day two of the NFCA Leadoff Classic.
"The team was solid today!," Head Coach
Traci Barrett pointed out. "We had some lulls in our offense but I'm most proud of the low strikeouts and high walks. That's a ratio we are working hard on. We had a grand performance by Paige in game one and Maiya in game two. Paityn and Rachel with closing innings as well.
Paola Garcia was electric at the plate with one RBI in game one and five in game two.
Jaycie Simpliciano continues to show a competitive spirit that is so special. Looking forward to tomorrow."
Lex Ahlo-Garcia got after it defensively in the first setting the tone as PLU got the Ducks out of the inning quickly. Garcia played the party starter in the first ripping a double to bring home
Bri Sarae. Ahlo-Garcia wasn't through with first inning heroics driving a ball to center field scoring two runs to give PLU a 3-0 lead.
Kamalani Doctor would single in the second driving Sarae in to add on to the lead 4-0. Stevens would inch themselves backs scoring two runs in the 4th off two singles and two walks 4-2. Those mistakes woke up the bats of the Lutes in the fourth as they scored nine runs capitalizing on some gritty at-bats drawing walks in key moments and capitalizing off errors with heads-up base running.
Garcia and Doctor would finish with multiple hits leading the Lutes offense.
Wilson would toss 4.0 innings only allowing three hits and six strikeouts.
Paityn Mackin would pitched 1 inning of relief and close the game for PLU.
Garcia followed up a strong start in game one by doing the exact same thing in game two getting the Lutes on the board first driving a single bringing in a run. Emilie Maza, Ashley Sera and Sarae continued the momentum in the 2nd getting on base to load the bases. Garcia back at the plate again got the pitch she wanted driving two more run to give PLU a 3-0 lead. Doctor would bring home Sarae and give the Lutes a 4-0 lead heading in to the third.
The Lutes and Panthers would settle in defensively in the middle innings of the 4th until Sera, Sarae and Garcia got things moving again for PLU. Garcia would double to center field bringing two more runs 6-0 Lutes.
PLU would start to use their depth and get some pinch-hitters some opportunities,
Aby Redwine took full advantage lining a single through the gap bringing in
Zoe Smithson to make it 7-0 heading to the bottom 5th.
Jaimee Cagle would also be called on to pinch-hit in the top of the 7th earning a walk with the bases loaded bringing another Lute run 8-0. Doctor would then putting the icing on the cake singling driving in two more runs to give PLU a 10-0 lead.
Anderson got the start in the circle for game two and calmly delivered a gem of performance hitting her spots pitching 6.0 innings allowing two hits, walking two and delivering four strikeouts.
Rachel Treves would get the save closing the game out.
.PLU returns to action tomorrow for day three of the NFCA Leadoff Classic as they take on Pfeiffer University and No.5 Saint Mary's University (Minn.).
