PARKLAND, Wash. – The Whitworth University softball team went 2-0 in a pair of Northwest Conference games against Pacific Lutheran at PLU Field on Saturday.

Whitworth improves to 14-3 overall, and remain undefeated in NWC action, moving to 7-0 in the NWC. Pacific Lutheran falls to 1-8 overall, with a 0-5 NWC record.

Game 1 – Whitworth 4, Pacific Lutheran 3
Pacific Lutheran's Spencer Sherwin tripled to left field in the bottom of the first and Kelsey Robinson's double with runners on second and third put the Lutes up 2-0 after the first. PLU added another run in the bottom of the third to take a 3-0 lead.

The Pirates rallied in the fourth inning as senior Caylan Haehl took her base after being hit by a pitch. Junior Taylor Gilbert's double sent Haehl home and pulled Whitworth within two runs, 3-1. Freshman Kelsey Stroshine and sophomore Lyss Martinez hit back-to-back singles to open the fifth inning. Junior Sacha Clow was walked to load the bases for sophomore Megan John. John doubled to left field, scoring Stroshine and freshman pinch runner Tessa Matthews and tying the game 3-3.

Sophomore Brittany Connor's bunt allowed the go-ahead run, Stroshine, to score in the top of the sixth, giving Whitworth a 4-3 lead. The Lutes went down in order in the bottom of the inning and stranded a runner in the bottom of the seventh, sealing Whitworth's win.

Kelsey Stroshine was 2-3 in the game with two runs scored. Megan John was 1-1 with two RBI.

Freshman Makayla Lefever (2-0) earned the win in the circle, coming in to pitch in the first inning. She gave up six hits with one run while striking out four batters. Kelsey Robinson (1-3) took the loss, giving up three earned runs on seven hits with one walk and three strikeouts.

Game 2 – Whitworth 4, Pacific Lutheran 2
Senior Julia Johnson got things started early for the Pirates, as her single to center field allowed Taylor Gilbert to score in the top of the first inning. PLU pulled even in the bottom of the inning as Spencer Sherwin homered.

Julia Johnson hit a two-run homer in the top of the third inning to give the Pirates a 3-1 lead. The Lutes scored in the bottom of the sixth to pull within a run, but Whitworth secured the third out without allowing the three Pacific Lutheran base runners to score.  Sophomore Alyssa Hall opened the seventh inning with a bunt and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from senior Makenzie Hope. A PLU throwing error sent Hall to third base and she scored on the next play to put the Pirates up 4-2. Pacific Lutheran went down in order in the bottom of the seventh, giving Whitworth its seventh NWC win this season.

Taylor Gilbert was 3-4 with an RBI and two runs scored. Julia Johnson went 2-4 with three RBI.

Freshman Madi Perez (7-1) earned the win, giving up one run on four hits with three walks and two strikeouts in four innings. Junior Riley Fritz earned her first save of the season. Leah Butters (0-4) took the loss, allowing three earned runs on nine hits with three strikeouts in seven innings.

Whitworth concludes the conference weekend with a single game at 12:00 p.m. on Sunday.