Lewis & Clark took two games from the Pacific University softball team, winning game one by a 5-0 margin and the nightcap, 6-4 on Saturday in Forest Grove.
The Boxers (17-11, 11-9 NWC) were limited to three hits in game one and managed a late rally in game two with eighth hits.
The Pioneers (8-16, 7-13 NWC) had nine and 11 hits, respectively in the doubleheader sweep.
In game one, Pacific had a chance at an early lead with runners on second and third before a fly out ended the threat. Lewis & Clark scored four runs in the fourth inning to break open a scoreless game. A pair of RBI singles and two RBI ground outs gave the visitors the early lead. The Pioneers added a run in the seventh for the final margin.
Three-different players for Lewis & Clark had two hits including Sydney Cross, Frankie Warten and Stephanie Garcia in the win. Pioneers' starter Megan Anderson limited Pacific to three hits, striking out one in the win to improve to 3-9.
In game two, the Boxers found themselves behind 5-0 before scoring three times in the fifth and the tying run at the plate in the seventh in a 6-4 loss to the Pioneers.
With a 5-0 deficit, Pacific scored three times on two hits, capitalizing on three errors by the Pioneers. Lewis & Clark stretched the lead to 6-3 in the sixth inning. The Boxers had a chance to cut into the lead in the sixth inning.
Trisha Snydar singled to begin the inning, after a fly out and ground out she moved to second. Then,
Kaitlynn Donaca singled to center field, a hustling Snydar was thrown out trying to score from second.
After holding Lewis & Clark off the scoreboard in its half of the seventh, the Boxers mounted a threat in the seventh. With one out,
Nicole Martinez reached on a single. The speedy freshman stole second and
Haley Kodama walked to put runners on first and second. Next, Katelyn Macatis-Smith, who singled to left field to score Martinez. Next, Haley Miller hit a line drive that was caught just above the shoelaces of the Pioneers' shortstop, who turned the unassisted double play to end the threat and the game.
Donaca, Snydar and Macatis-Smith each had two hits to lead a nine-hit attack for Pacific. Eight of nine starters for Lewis & Clark had a hit including a pair by Ateisha Norton and Stephanie Garcia for an 11-hit win.
Next, Pacific will travel to McMinnville for a four-game series against Linfield. Action gets underway with a doubleheader on Saturday, April 7 at noon.
