By: Amanda Dow-Allen
Sports Information Assistant

PORTLAND, Ore- The Lewis & Clark softball team lost two more tough ones to Pacific Lutheran 8-2 and 5-2 at Huston Sports Complex Sunday afternoon. The losses move the Pioneers to 5-11 overall with a 2-9 conference record, while the Lutes move to 5-11 overall with a 4-8 conference record.

Game One:

Madison Hollenbeck (4-6) took the loss on the mound for the Pioneers pitching seven innings giving up eight runs off thirteen hits while walking two. Leah Butters (2-6) takes the win for the Lutes pitching seven innings giving up two runs on seven hits, while walking one and striking out two.

The Lutes began scoring in the first inning when the lead off batter Emily McConnell reached second base on an error. After Spencer Sherwin tripled to right center, McConnell scored. A double by Lindsey Matsunaga scored Sherwin from third for the first two runs of the game. Scoring two more runs in the third off three hits and an error put the Lutes up 4-0.

The Pioneers started to come back scoring two runs in the bottom of the third.  Ashley Bolick singled to center field starting the rally for the Pioneers. Haley Robinson singled on a bunt and pushed Bolick to second. Tiana Rosario stepped to the plate and doubled to right center scoring Bolick and advancing Robinson to third. Hollenbeck, helping herself out, singled up the middle tacking on another run scoring Robinson from third, while Rosario trying to score was thrown out by the center fielder.

The top of the sixth brought in one more run of for the Lutes off two hits, while the top of the seventh brought three runs off three hits making the score 8-2.  The Pioneers got back-to-back hits by Lindsay Yearman and Jenai Rojo in the bottom of the seventh, but the fire was put out fast with three quick outs and ultimately leading in the loss of game one.

The Pioneers finished with seven hits led by Yearman with two hits, while Robinson, Hollenbeck, Bolick, Rosario, and Rojo each finished with one respectively.

Game Two:

Hallie Knife (0-3) takes the loss for the Pioneers pitching seven innings giving up five runs on twelve hits, while walking three and striking out one. Kelsey Robinson (3-4) wins for the Lutes pitching seven innings giving up two runs on seven hits, while walking two and striking out three.

The Lutes struck first again in the first inning when McConnell singled up the middle, stole second base, and advanced to third on a Sherwin ground out. McConnell then scored on a wild pitch. The second innings proved to be another run producer for the Lutes as Alison Behrends stepped to the plate and hit a ball that hit the top of the fence in center field and fell for a solo home run.

The bottom of the third was the lucky inning again for the Pioneers as they scored two runs off three hits. Robinson walked to lead off the inning and advanced to second on a Rosario sac bunt. Hannah Dal Pra then doubled to left field scoring Robinson. Hollenbeck reached on a single and Yearman reached on a fielders' choice as Dal Pra was thrown out at third. With runners on first and second, Amanda Rabith singled to right field scoring Hollenbeck from second for the Pioneers second run of the inning.

Scoring another run in the fifth off two hits and an error brought the Lutes back on top 3-2. The Pioneers struggled to score another run, as their hits just didn't fall through. The Lutes scored another run in the sixth and one more in the seventh making the score 5-2.

Dal Pra and Rabith led the Pioneers with two hits, while Rosario, Hollenbeck, and Yearman each finished with one respectively.

The Pioneers put Northwest Conference games on hold while they travel to play Eastern Oregon for a double header on March 24 beginning at 11 a.m.