Setting the Scene: It's the home opener for Pacific Lutheran University, welcoming in-state nemesis Saint Martin's University to PLU Field.
Series History: The Lutes and Saints have met 43 times on the diamond with PLU holding a 24-19 edge in the all-time series. PLU has won five straight in the series which has been on hiatus since the 2014 campaign.
About the Lutes: PLU (2-0) returns home after collecting a doubleheader sweep in the Lone Star State to open the 2022 season.
Tommy Snyder tossed six innings of shutout ball in the opener with Cole Trotignon powering the offense in an 8-2 win over host Texas Lutheran University. Trotignon was three-for-four at the plate, belting two home runs and finishing with five RBIs.
It was Trotignon's turn on the mound in game two, going seven innings in the Lutes' 13-2 win over the Bulldogs. Trotignon helped his own cause with a three-for-three effort at the plate while Andy Schmitz finishing with three hits and two RBIs.
On Monday, Snyder was named the NWC Pitcher of the Week while Trotignon secured NWC Hitter of the Week accolades.
About the Saints: Division II Saint Martin's (0-4) heads into the weekend searching for its first wins of the season, facing University of Puget Sound on Friday before taking on the Lutes on Saturday.
The Saints open the season in California, dropping a four-game series against Chico State University. Saint Martin's fell 13-0 in the opener last Friday before coming up on the wrong side of 24-4 and 8-1 scoreline on Saturday. The host Wildcats finished off the series with a 14-3 win on Sunday.
Griffin Williams leads the Saints at the plate with a .462 batting average with two RBIs while Mark Steward is hitting at a .455 clip with a pair of doubles.
On the mound, SMU went through 14 pitchers in the opening weekend of play with Ryan Driscoll leading the team with four strikeouts in 3 1/3 innings of work.
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Next Home Game:
Feb. 26: PLU hosts Willamette (DH) at 11 a.m.
PLU Non-Discrimination Policy: Pacific Lutheran University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability or age in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Title IX Coordinator Jennifer Childress-White; 253-535-7361; TitleIX@plu.edu