COLUMBUS, Ga— The Pacific Lutheran University softball team dropped its final two games of the NFCA Leadoff Classic against the Pfeiffer Univeristy Falcons 3-2 in game one and against fifth-ranked Saint Marys University (Minn.) Cardinals 8-0 on Sunday.

"The Leadoff Classic is a great event because you play six different opponents," Head Coach Traci Barrett noted. "We showed ourselves who we can be and who we don't want to be in all six games. Leadership emerged on the field in Paola Garcia and it's so great to have her back after a medical year off. Bri Sarae, Jaycie Simpliciano, Zoe Smithson, Kamalani Doctor, Lex Ahlo-Garcia all did a great job on both sides of the ball this weekend. California is the next opportunity to respond, grow, and play the kind of softball we know we're capable of."

Game one was a battle defensively as both teams had opportunities to make something happen offensively. The Falcons would get on the board first, driving a run in off a double take the lead 1-0 in the second inning. 

Rachel Treves got the start in the circle for PLU, hitting her spots and getting various batters to fly out and ground out over the first two innings. Pfeiffer would capitalize on strong base running in the third and get another run and go up 2-0. The next two innings would present more defensive action back and forth as both teams wouldn't budge, until the Falcons found an opening in the top of the fifth scoring on a single to right field to make it 3-0. 

PLU made a late push in the bottom of the sixth as Bri Sarae led things of with a single. Paola Garcia would match, drilling a single to center field. Lex Ahlo-Garcia later capitalized and drove in two runs off a single to left field to make it 3-2. 

The Lutes attempted a late comeback with runners on first and second but Pfeiffer stymied the rally, inducing a fly out to preserve the win. 

Garcia and Ahlo-Garcia led the way offensively for PLU. Garcia finished two-for-four with a run scored while Ahlo-Garcia had a pair of RBIs. 

Treves pitched six innings and struck out six while Maiya Anderson tossed a scoreless seventh inning in relief. 

Game two against the fifth-ranked Cardinals was a 1-0 game through three and a half innings before Saint Mary's scored six in the fourth on its way to the 8-0 win. 

Pitcher Paige Wilson got the start for PLU, tossing four innings and collecting one strikeout. 

Leading the way offensively for the Lutes was Jaycie Simpliciano who went two-for-two.

PLU will return to action for another road trip next weekend in California starting on March 13, taking on Pamona-Pitzer Colleges, California Lutheran University, and Chapman University.