MCMINNVILLE, Ore. — The Pacific Lutheran University softball team saw its historic 2026 season come to a close Friday afternoon, falling 2-1 to Transylvania University in an NCAA Regional elimination game at Del Smith Stadium.
The Lutes conclude the year with a 35-12 overall record after capturing the program's first Northwest Conference regular-season title since 2003 and earning an NCAA Tournament at-large berth for the first time since the 2012 national championship season.
Pacific Lutheran totaled nine hits in the contest and threatened throughout, but Transylvania pitcher Raegan Gibson held the Lutes to one run despite constant pressure on the bases. Gibson earned the complete-game victory, improving to 10-5 after allowing one run on nine hits across seven innings.
Maiya Anderson took the loss for Pacific Lutheran, falling to 10-4 on the season despite another strong postseason outing. The sophomore tossed a complete game, allowing two runs on six hits while striking out five across six innings.
The Lutes generated offense throughout the afternoon, led by Kaya Collado and Addy Meyers, who each finished 2-for-3 at the plate. Paola Garcia added a hit, walk and scored the lone run for Pacific Lutheran, while Aby Redwine drove in the Lutes' only run with an RBI single in the fourth inning.
Pacific Lutheran tied the game in the fourth after Garcia reached and later scored on Redwine's RBI base hit, but Transylvania answered with the game-winning run in the seventh inning.
Anderson kept the Pioneers off balance for much of the game, retiring several key hitters in pressure situations and allowing just two earned runs. The Lutes also stranded eight runners and put multiple runners aboard in four separate innings.
Despite the season-ending loss, Pacific Lutheran pieced together one of the strongest campaigns in program history. The Lutes finished with 35 victories, a Northwest Conference championship, multiple individual postseason honors, and an NCAA Regional appearance while establishing themselves as one of the top teams in the NWC and in all of Division III softball.
