NEWBERG, Ore. — Paige Wilson tossed a one-hitter to open the weekend series on Friday as the Pacific Lutheran University softball squad earned a doubleheader split with host George Fox University. The Lutes took the opener 6-2 behind Wilson's efforts inside the circle before falling to the Northwest Conference rivals 13-4 in the nightcap.

Paola Garcia powered the Lute offense in game one, driving in four of PLU's six runs. The reigning NFCA Player of the Week drove in Alexa Saladin in the second inning for the game's first score before the host Bruins belted a two-run home run in the bottom of the third to seize a 2-1 advantage. 
 
It would be all Lutes (19-7, 11-3 NWC) after that with a Garcia single in the fourth inning scoring Megan Landes to tie the game. A Landes infield single the next inning scored Syan Yamamoto to take the lead before a Kaya Collado sacrifice fly scored Saladin to make it 4-2.

Garcia padded the lead in the seventh, blasting a two-RBI single to center field, scoring Landes and Ashlyn Sera.

Garcia, Landes, and Sera led the team with two hits with Garcia netting four RBIs and Landes scoring twice. Collado was one-for-one at the plate while drawing three walks across her four at bats. 
 
Paige Wilson improved to 10-1 inside the circle in 2026, notching the complete game win after allowing just one hit and striking out six. 

"We did well in game one allowing the game to come to us," said Head Coach Traci Barrett.

"Paola with four of our RBIs was a display of excellent execution and clutch hitting. I was so proud of Paige working through things in the bullpen after giving up the only hit of the game and not allowing another run. The defense had an excellent game and contributed to have Paige's back."

PLU led 3-1 in game two but an eight-run second inning derailed the Lutes' hopes of a doubleheader sweep. 

George Fox (10-13, 4-6 NWC) opened the game with a solo home run in the bottom of the first but Pacific Lutheran answered, tying the game in the second after Sera bunted in Zoe Smithson. Yamamoto later scored on a wild pitch while a Landes single brought in Saladin for the 3-1 lead.
 
George Fox piled on eight in the bottom of the second and tacked on four more in the fourth en route to the 13-4 win. 
 
Kamalani Doctor accounted for PLU's final run of the day, blasting a solo home run in the top of the third. 
 
Maiya Anderson was saddled with the decision, facing the game's first eight batters before giving way to Rachel Treves and Paityn Mackin who each had a pair of strikeouts.

"Game two was another story. We have been working through some injuries and just didn't have strength in the circle. Our offense didn't answer as well and the game got away from us. I was proud that no one gave up but we just didn't execute."

The Lutes and Bruins close the series tomorrow morning with a doubleheader beginning at 12 p.m.