Pacific Lutheran University Athletics

TACOMA, Wash. — Zoe Smithson blasted a two-run home run in the bottom of the fifth, punching the Pacific Lutheran University softball team's ticket to the Northwest Conference Tournament Championship Game on Saturday at PLU Field. The top-seeded Lutes downed third seed Lewis & Clark College 3-2, eliminating the River Otters and setting up a rematch with second seed Linfield University on Sunday.

"Today was just one of those games that you just grind it out. We had quite a few baserunners that we left on base, but Zoe Smithson came through with a clutch two homer. It was awesome!" said Head Coach Traci Barrett.

"I love that we got Maiya Anderson a start today and she and Paige Wilson were able to have each other's backs to get the win. It's super fun to see those two grow as we head into the postseason."

The 21st-ranked Lutes (33-9) will square off against the seventh-ranked Wildcats at 11 a.m. tomorrow. PLU will need to win two games tomorrow to hoist the program's first NWC Tournament title since 2012 while Linfield needs just one win tomorrow after finishing yesterday a perfect 2-0. 

The River Otters (27-15) drew first blood on Saturday with McKenna Zehnder belting a solo home run in the second inning. 

Pacific Lutheran tied the game in the third inning with a Kamalani Doctor single scoring pinch runner Syan Yamamoto. Yamamoto was running for Kaya Collado who reached base courtesy of a one-out walk. 

L&C reclaimed the lead in the fourth with another solo home run, this time from Cami Restagno but the Lutes responded with fireworks of their own with Zoe Smithson's two-run blast to right center field in the bottom of the fifth. Smithson's bomb, her ninth of 2026, scored Doctor who reached base with a double to left field. 

The River Otters had base runners in both the sixth and seventh innings but was unable to muster any more offense, as a double play ended the game, eliminating the River Otters and putting PLU in the NWC Championship Game for the first time since 2022.
 
PLU outhit Lewis & Clark 9-4 on the day with Bri Sarae, Doctor, Smithson, and Lex Ahlo-Garcia all finishing with multiple hits.

"Ahlo-Garcia continues to be a constant presence at the plate for us and on defense. Really proud of the team and we will get back at it, doing what we do best which is staying true to being us."

Maiya Anderson tossed the opening 3 2/3 innings, striking out one before Paige Wilson handled the back 3 1/3 innings of the game. Wilson earned the win, allowing just one hit and striking out three, pushing her strikeout count to 23 over the course of the NWC Tournament.