PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Lewis & Clark Pioneers are on the verge of a berth in the Northwest Conference Championship tournament for the first time in school history with a pair of wins over the Pacific Boxers on Saturday at Huston Sports Complex.

Following a Senior Day recognition for Sydney Cross, Sierra Gundersen and Hannah Urbach prior to the game, the Pios used a home run by Mari Alvarez in the sixth inning that led to a win in the opener. Like she did a week ago, Samantha Gildersleeve hit a walk-off homer to clinch a doubleheader sweep in the finale.

Lewis & Clark has a 13-9 record and is in third place in the NWC standings. The top four teams in conference winning percentage qualify for the NWC tournament. The official announcement from the NWC will follow this weekend's play. The Pios have never qualified for the tournament that began in 2011 nor have they finished in the conference's top four since 1990.

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Key Moments | Game 1

Alvarez's first career homer, a rope of a shot in the sixth inning, gave Lewis & Clark some padding to their nearly-gamelong lead during a 6-5 victory in the opener. At the top of the order, Alvarez and two-spot hitter Braylin Jenson each went 3 for 4, and Alvarez finished with five RBI. 

The Pioneers led by one in the first on Olivia Brackin's sacrifice fly. Alvarez hit RBI singles in the second and the fourth before her three-run blast in the sixth.

Pacific (15-19, 10-14 NWC) had momentarily claimed the lead with a four-run sixth inning that included a three-run home run by Hailey Miller. 

Starting at second base, Gunderson went 3 for 3 with a double and three runs scored. Jenson hit a triple. 

Alyssa Abe relieved starter Jane Wilson and threw two innings with one run allowed to earn the win. Wilson allowed four runs on six hits. Each had two strikeouts. 

Key Moments | Game 2

Lewis & Clark (17-11, 13-9 NWC) won the finale on Saturday by a 5-4 final. Trailing by one in the bottom of the seventh with two outs, Cross was hit on the wrist by a pitch and was replaced by Alyssa Hoeke on first base. Gildersleeve hit her 15th home run of the season to win the game. In last Sunday's series finale against Puget Sound, Gildersleeve hit a walk-off homer to give the Pios a 6-5 win.

The Pioneers school record-setting home run total grew to 40 after the Pios hit a three over the two games on Saturday. 

Abe threw a complete-game victory with nine hits and four runs allowed. She improved to 9-7 on the year, the most wins for a Pioneers pitcher since Jauna Williams won 11 in 2002.

Much like in the first game, seniors played a huge role in the finale. Urbach had one hit, a double, and a full-extension, diving catch behind the plate on a foul ball. Cross also had a double and was part of a double play on a line drive that hit her glove, ricocheted to shortstop Kalea Kaui, who made the out and threw to first to get a Boxers runner before touching the bag.

Looking Ahead

The Pios finish their series with Pacific on the road Sunday. Lewis & Clark's 13 conference wins is a program record and 17 overall wins are its most since 2016. If the Pios win both on Sunday, they would finish 15-9 and trail only George Fox and Linfield, who have 22 and 21 victories, respectively. Of the four teams vying for the final NWC tournament spot, the Pios are the only with a win over either George Fox or Linfield, let alone both.