by Kelsey Segren, Sports Information Assistant

SPOKANE, Wash. – Pacific Lutheran University won the opener 12-10 in extra innings over host Whitworth University and secured an 8-3 victory in the second game of Saturday's Northwest Conference softball doubleheader at Diana Marks Field.

Pacific Lutheran (8-14, 5-9 NWC) recorded 31 hits on the day to secure a pair of wins over Whitworth (6-14, 4-4). The Lutes and Pirates will finish the series with another doubleheader on Sunday beginning at 11 a.m.

Game 1 – Pacific Lutheran 12, Whitworth 10 (8 innings)

PLU used a six-run third inning and a four-run top of the eighth to overcome the Pirates in the opener. The Lutes hit three home runs, three doubles and a triple on the game. Mari Foster drove in four of the Lutes' runs and was one of seven starters with a multi-hit game.   

Erin McGrath started off the scoring with a home run to give the Lutes a 1-0 lead in the top of the first.

The Pirates answered with five runs in the bottom half of the frame to take a 5-1 lead. The first three batters reached base and Maddy Thomas followed with a sacrifice fly to tie the game at 1-1. Haley Montoya brought in a run with a single and Julia Dillon drew a walk to score the next. A Lutes' throwing error scored two more Pirate runs.

PLU took a 7-5 lead after an explosive third inning. Casey Wright and Foster each hit a two-run homer in the frame. Mattea Nelson then tied the game with a two-run homer of her own in the bottom of the third, bringing home Jazz Johnson.

The Lutes added a run in the top of the seventh to break the 7-7 tie, but the Pirates would tie it up again the bottom half as Nelson scored on a throwing error. Sara Gayer and Thomas were then intentionally walked, loading the bases with one out, but the Lutes got out of the inning after Arabella Perez caught a pop up and threw the runner out at home.   

After PLU's four runs in the top of the eighth, the Pirates loaded the bases in the bottom half once again. Nelson scored Montoya on a fielder's choice and Brynn Radke walked to narrow the Pirates' deficit to 12-10. That would conclude the scoring as Kennedy Robillard forced a pair of fly outs to secure the Lutes' win.

Molly House (2-3) earned the win in the circle for the Lutes, allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits in six innings. Robillard got the start, allowing five runs (three earned) on five hits in the first inning but came back in to record the final two outs.

Melanie Laronde (2-2) took the loss, allowing five runs on 11 hits in 5.2 innings of work. Drea Schwaier-Wolf got the start, allowing seven runs on eight hits through 2.1 innings. Nelson led the Pirates at the plate, finishing 2-5 with three RBIs and two runs scored. Kaylie Lowery had a three-hit game.

Game 2 – Pacific Lutheran 8, Whitworth 3

Cailey Collado and Casey Wright led the offensive effort for the Lutes in the second game. Collado finished 4-4 with an RBI and three runs scored, while Wright hit 2-4 with three RBIs and a run scored.

PLU led by seven runs after the top of the fourth with Z Ellis holding the Pirates hitless up to that point.  

Whitworth scored all three of its runs in the bottom of the fifth. Marley Dyer relieved Ellis in the circle after the Pirates loaded the bases on a pair of walks and a single to open the inning. Gayer worked a walk to get the Pirates on the scoreboard. Thomas got an RBI on a fielder's choice and Montoya hit a sacrifice fly to bring the score to 7-3.

The Lutes would add one more run in the sixth to sweep the Pirates on Saturday.

Ellis (3-4) got the win, allowing two runs on four hits in four innings. Dyer pitched the final three innings, allowing just one run on two hits.

Kylie Harris (0-3) was credited with the loss, allowing five runs on seven hits in three innings. Schwaier-Wolf pitched 2.1 innings of relief, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits. Corinne Vasiloff finished off the final 1.2 innings and did not allow a hit.