MCMINNVILLE, Ore. — The Pacific Lutheran University softball team opened the NCAA Regional Tournament with a gritty 3-2 victory over Transylvania University on Thursday afternoon at Del Smith Stadium, surviving a late rally to advance in the opening round of the NCAA Regional.
The Lutes improved to 35-10 overall with the postseason win, while Transylvania dropped to 35-11.
Paige Wilson delivered another postseason gem in the circle, tossing a complete game while earning the victory and improving to 21-3 on the season. The right-hander allowed just four hits and one earned run while striking out seven over seven innings. Wilson threw 131 pitches and limited the Pioneers to just one extra-base hit all afternoon.
Pacific Lutheran broke through first in the fourth inning when Zoe Smithson launched a solo home run to left field, giving the Lutes a 1-0 advantage. Smithson finished 1-for-2 with a homer, RBI, walk and stolen base.
The Lutes added what proved to be the deciding runs in the fifth inning. Kaya Collado sparked the rally by drawing one of her three walks on the day before PLU loaded the bases. Paola Garcia ripped an RBI single to push the lead to 2-1. Bri Serae reached on a fielder's choice bringing the final run in Jaycie Simpliciano to make the game 3-1. Garcia finished 1-for-3 with an RBI, while Collado reached base three times.
Transylvania responded in the top of the fifth on a solo home run from Emilie Young before adding another run in the seventh inning to cut the deficit to one. Wilson, however, stranded the tying run and closed the door to secure the postseason victory.
Raegan Gibson took the loss for Transylvania, falling to 9-5 after allowing two earned runs on two hits with five walks and three strikeouts across four innings. Maddie Goddard tossed two innings of relief, allowing one run on two hits.
Despite the hits total being tied at 4-4, Pacific Lutheran capitalized on timely situational hitting and patient at-bats, drawing five walks and producing all three RBIs with runners aboard. The Lutes also turned in several key defensive plays behind Wilson to help secure the regional-opening victory.
PLU will return to action tomorrow May 15th as they take on the hosts Linfield University in the winners bracket. Opening pitch is set for 11 AM.
