Setting the Scene: The Pacific Lutheran University softball squad opens an eight-game homestand this weekend, welcoming Northwest Conference rival Willamette University to PLU Field.
Series History: The two conference rivals have met 151 times since the series began in 1981 with the Lutes holding a commanding 112-39 edge in the series. Willamette won three of the four games last season in Salem with all four games shutouts. The Bearcats won games one, three, and four by scores of 1-0, 5-0, 1-0, with PLU taking game three by a commanding 11-0 scoreline.
About the Lutes: Paige Wilson was on fire inside the circle over the weekend in Oregon, propelling the Lutes (21-7, 13-3 NWC) to a series win against host George Fox University and earning NWC Pitcher of the Week accolades for the fifth time in her career. The Lutes won three of the four games, with Wilson credited with the pitching decision in all three wins. PLU spit the series on Friday, earning a 6-2 win in the opener as Wilson struck out six and allowed just one hit in the complete game effort. The Bruins took game two by a 13-4 scoreline but it was all Lutes on Saturday, collecting 2-1 and 5-2 wins. Wilson struck out 11 and allowed just three hits in the 2-1 win while throwing 2 2/3 innings of scoreless relief in game four of the series with finishing three-for-four at the dish with three RBIs.
PLU currently sits tied for second place with Lewis & Clark College in the NWC standings and is just one game back of defending league champion Linfield University.
Paola Garcia powers the Lutes at the plate, leading the team in batting average (.461), RBIs (40), runs scored (28), extra base hits (14), and home runs (seven). Kaya Collado is having a breakout debut season, hitting .410 with 19 RBIs while Ashlyn Sera is a .364 hitter. Inside the circle, Maiya Anderson and Paige Wilson have been a one-two punch this season, both having won NWC Pitcher of the Week this spring. Anderson has a 2.57 earned run average with 44 strikeouts, limiting opposing hitters to a paltry .190 batting average while Wilson has a team-high 90 strikeouts in 82 2/3 innings of work with a 12-1 record in 14 appearances. That includes tossing 10 complete games this season.
About the Bearcats: Willamette (9-19, 6-10 NWC) heads to Tacoma looking to snap a three-game slide. Last weekend, the Bearcats hosted Whitworth University. Willamette took the opener 4-2, busting the game open with a pair of runs in the sixth inning but would drop the remaining three games of the series, falling by scores of 7-4, 5-2, and 4-1.
Willamette has been light on power this season, hitting just two home runs through the opening 28 games of the season.
Mckenzie Petersen leads Willamette at the plate with a .333 batting average and eight doubles. Lauren Stube has a team-leading .488 slugging percentage with a .317 average while Maris Pinheiro has a team-high 15 RBIs.
Maya Filter is the workhorse, having logged 55 innings inside the circle with a 3.18 earned run average and limiting batters to a .224 batting average. McKenzee Petersen has a team-high 31 strikeouts across 47 innings of work while Lizzie Brasher has also seen considerable action, boasting a 4.14 ERA across 45 2/3 innings.
NWC Preseason Poll
The Lutes look to return to the NWC Tournament for the fifth consecutive season after being picked fourth in the annual preseason coaches' poll. Defending Champion Linfield University sits atop the rankings with 47 points and five first place votes while Lewis & Clark College sits second with 45 points and the remaining three first place endorsements. George Fox University is third with 36 points while the Lutes check in as the top Washington school in fourth place with 30 points.
Trailblazing NIL the D3 Way: PLU Athletics continues to lead the way nationally in Name, Image, and Likeness, unveiling the Luteville Marketplace last fall through the department's partnership with Opendorse. But don't stay on the sidelines, get involved and connect with PLU student-athletes on the Luteville Marketplace: LINK
The Luteville Marketplace is the first dedicated NIL marketplace in Division III on the Opendorse platform that directly connects student-athletes with fans, supporters, and business partners in an easy to use website.
Stay connected to your favorite teams by downloading the official mobile app of the Pacific Lutheran University athletic department powered by SIDEARM Sports, available in the Apple App Store and on Google Play.
Featuring real-time news alerts, schedules, exclusive multimedia content, gameday details and more, the new PLU Athletics app is free and compatible with both iOS and Android devices.
Next Home Series:
Apr. 18 vs. Linfield (DH) at 12 p.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