By: Amanda Dow-Allen
Sports Information Assistant

PORTLAND, Ore- The Lewis & Clark softball team opened home play on Saturday afternoon, hosting Pacific Lutheran for two Northwest Conference games. The Lutes won the opening game 4-2 before taking the second 11-1 after six innings of action.

Game One-

Pitcher Hallie Knife kept the Lutes at bay with three hitless innings, but allowed one run to score in the first from a walk. After Emily McConnell walked, she stole second and was pushed around the bases on couple of fielders' choice plays.

The Pioneers fought back in the second scoring their first run when Lindsay Yearman hit a single to right field and advanced to third on a sac bunt by Amanda Rabith. Caitlin Basilio then hit a single to right scoring Yearman from third.

The Lutes scored another run in the fourth when Spencer Sherwin walked, stole second and scored when Katie Lowery hit a single. In the fifth, the Lutes scored two more off three hits, including two doubles making the score 4-1.

Madison Hollenbeck led off the sixth with a single to help get the Pioneers back on track. Kylee Kennel pinch ran for Hollenbeck and advanced to second on another Yearman single. Maddie Lee stepped to the plate and doubled down the left field line scoring Kennel and moving Yearman to third. It was all the Pioneers could muster though as the seventh was a scoreless inning for both teams.

Hannah Dal Pra finished the game with three hits including two doubles, while Yearman finished with two hits, Lee, Rabith, Basilio, and Hollenbeck each finished with one respectively for the Pioneers.  The Lutes finished with seven hits.

Knife (0-2) pitched four and two third innings allowing four runs on four hits, while walking three and striking out one. Hollenbeck came in to finish the game pitching two and one third inning allowing three hits, while walking one and striking out two.  Leah Butters (1-6) pitched seven innings for the Lutes allowing two runs on nine hits, while walking two and striking out one.

Game Two:

Pacific Lutheran struck first in game two scoring three runs in the second inning using four hits and an error to their advantage. Lindsey Matsunaga doubled to center to begin the inning while Lowery bunt singled pushing her to third. Lowery stole second, putting herself in scoring position. Alison Behrends hit an infield singled scoring Matsunaga from third and advancing Lowery to third. McConnell singled to left field scoring Lowery, advancing Behrends to third after her steal to second. Behrends then scored on an error and McConnell advanced all the way to third.

Haley Robinson began the bottom of the third for the Pioneers reaching first on a single to the pitcher. Tiana Rosario sac bunted her to second, while Hollenbeck single to center to score Robinson. Yearman then doubled to center, but after Basilio flied out the inning was over.

The Lutes scored two more runs in the fourth when Tori Hamura hit a home run to left field after Kailyn Osaki singled. The sixth inning was all Pacific Lutheran as they scored six runs on three hits and using three hit by pitches to their advantage. Tallying the score to 11-1 the Pioneers couldn't score a run in the bottom of the sixth ending the game.

Jenai Rojo finished the game with three, hits including a double for the Pioneers, while Yearman had another two including a double as well. Robinson, Rosario, and Hollenbeck each finished with one.

Hollenbeck  (4-5) pitched five and one third innings giving up eleven runs on ten hits and striking out one. Knife came relieved Hollenbeck for two thirds of an inning giving up one hit. Kelsey Robinson (2-4) pitched six innings for the Lutes giving up one run on eight hits while striking out two.

The Pioneers continue Northwest Conference action tomorrow March 16 at noon for another double-header against the Lutes at Huston Sports Complex.