SPOKANE, Wash. — Paola Garcia set school single season records for RBIs and total bases on Sunday as the Northwest Conference Champion Pacific Lutheran University softball squad dispatched host Whitworth University 4-1 and 12-0 to close out the regular season.

The 21st-ranked Lutes (32-8, 24-4 NWC) end the regular season having won six straight and 13 of their last 14 and will host the 2026 NWC Tournament this coming weekend.

Garcia racked up two hits and two RBIs on the day, shattering Gretchen Ruecker's RBI record of 62 that has stood since 2004 and Erin McGrath's total bases mark of 118 that has stood since 2022. Garcia heads to the NWC Tournament with 63 RBIs and 119 total bases and is on the doorstep of breaking single season records for runs scored, hits, and home runs. 

In game one, the Lutes took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first, manufacturing a run after Lex Ahlo-Garcia drew a bases loaded walk. 

The host Pirates (11-28, 9-19 NWC) tied the game in the bottom of the first but an Aby Redwine double scored Kamalani Doctor in the third inning to push ahead 2-1. Fionna Duryea scored on an error in the fourth inning before an Ahlo-Garcia double brought in Zoe Smithson in the seventh to make it 4-1 PLU.

Jaycie Simpliciano finished two-for-three at the plate in the opener while Paige Wilson earned the complete game win inside the circle, allowing no earned runs and striking out three.

Two big innings paved the way for the mercy rule win in game two, piling on five runs in the second and seven more in the third inning.

Smithson got things going with a solo home run before getting RBIs from Ashleyn Sera, Megan Landes, and Garcia, while Simpliciano stole home. 

Sera belted in two more runs in the third inning before a Garcia double scored Sera. Doctor plated two on a single up the middle before an Emelia Maza two-bagger scored both Smithson and Doctor, making it a 12-0 Lute advantage. 

Nine Lutes had a base hit in game two with Sera leading the way, going two-for-two with three RBIs and two runs scored. 

Maiya Anderson earned the win, allowing just four hits and striking out one. Rachel Treves finished the game, retiring the side in order in the fifth inning.

"It was a great final weekend of conference for us from player one through 30. Allowing only one run with nine hits on the day combined is impressive. Paige and Maiya are an impressive combo and I'm so proud of them both!" said Head Coach Traci Barrett.

"It took a little while to get our bats going on the day, but led by Zoe our offense ended strong for the sweep. Lex locked it down at shortstop all weekend and took hits away, with multiple contributions at the plate. She was impressive this weekend and continues to show growth in her IQ as a standout freshman in the NWC. Overall, it was a complete team performance today with quality at bats, clean defense, and contributions across the board."

PLU is back on the diamond on Friday, hosting the NWC Tournament where they will face fourth-seed George Fox University. 

"We will get back at it this week to prepare for the NWC Tournament. We reached our goal of winning the conference title, hosting and staying true to being US. Considering none of our players were born the last time PLU held the title, we're excited for our team, our program, and Luteball!!"