Setting the Scene: The Lutes cap off the regular season today, hosting crosstown nemesis University of Puget Sound.
Series History: The Lutes have absolutely owned their crosstown rivals on the diamond, holding a 122-34-1 advantage in the series since the 1981 season. PLU swept the series in 2019 and won three of four last spring, outscoring the Loggers 21-9 over the four-game series.
About the Lutes: Pacific Lutheran (24-12, 16-8 NWC) heads into the weekend red-hot, riding a five game win streak that includes a sweep last weekend on the road against Pacific University. The Lutes crushed the host Boxers 8-0 in the series opener, getting home runs from Brooke Tilson and Erin McGrath before Tilson went yard again in the nightcap as the Lutes cruised to a 9-4 win. PLU had seven extra base hits in a 14-4 win to open the doubleheader on Sunday before netting a 12-2 mercy rule win in the series finale, a game that Sarah Potwin had a grand slam and finished three-for-three with seven RBIs.
Erin McGrath paced the Lutes over the weekend and on Monday was tabbed the NWC Hitter of the Week for the second time this season. The senior hit .500 for the weekend with two doubles, two home runs, and nine RBIs.
McGrath currently leads the NWC in OPS (1.22), slugging percentage (.772), home runs (11), RBIs (44), doubles (13), runs (40), and total bases (88). McGrath additionally ranks second in all of NCAA Division III in home runs, total bases, and RBIs. Mari Foster is hitting at a .397 clip with 21 RBIs and nine doubles while Potwin is hitting at a .342 clip with five home runs.
Inside the circle, Cassidy Conrad has pitched a team-high 78 innings with an 8-1 record and 44 strikeouts. Marley Dyer has seen 42 1/3 innings of work, striking out 22 while Emma Ware is 5-2 with three saves, serving primarily as a reliever.
About the Loggers: Puget Sound (4-28, 4-20 NWC) heads into the final weekend of the regular season looking to bust out of a 15-game slide.
The Loggers defeated Lewis & Clark College 7-0 on March 13 but the Pios rebounded in the second half of the twinbill, prevailing 4-3 to kickstart the Loggers' recent woes.
Last weekend, UPS faced nationally-ranked and NWC leading Linfield University, dropping all four games by a combined 38-1 scoreline.
Savanna Smith leads the Loggers in home runs (three) and RBIs (13) while Hana DeGuzman has a team-best 14 runs.
Inside the circle, Smith leads the team in innings pitched with 81 1/3 innings of work with 71 strikeouts and a 5.49 earned run average. Maddy Garcia has pitched 49 innings while Kelsie Sullivan has seen action in 46 2/3 innings.
Thank You Seniors!
Seniors by the Numbers:
10 Seniors
68 career wins
45 NWC wins
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