TACOMA, Wash. – The Puget Sound Logger softball team scored 17 runs on the weekend, but the Loggers faced a tough defeat against the Lewis & Clark Pioneers in a softball matchup this weekend at Logger Field.

Game 1: Puget Sound 5, Lewis and Clark 13

In the top of the 1st inning, Lewis & Clark set the tone with an early run, capitalizing on a series of walks and hits. Puget Sound's defense struggled to contain the Pioneers' offense, allowing Lewis & Clark to take an early lead of 1-0. However, the Loggers fought back with a strong defensive effort in the bottom of the 1st inning, preventing any further scoring from Lewis & Clark.

The Pioneers continued to dominate in the bottom of the 2nd inning, holding Puget Sound's offense at bay, leaving runners stranded on base.

Lewis & Clark extended their lead in the top of the 3rd inning, scoring a series of runs to widen the gap between the two teams.

Puget Sound showed resilience in the bottom of the 3rd inning, mounting a comeback effort with timely hits and aggressive baserunning. However, they were unable to fully close the deficit, trailing Lewis & Clark by a score of 8-3.

Despite their efforts, the Loggers struggled to contain Lewis & Clark's offense, allowing the Pioneers to maintain their lead throughout the remainder of the game.

In the end, Lewis & Clark emerged victorious with a final score of 13-5, handing Puget Sound a disappointing loss on their home turf.

Game 2: Puget Sound 0, Lewis and Clark 8

Lewis & Clark got off to a strong start in the top of the 1st inning, holding Puget Sound scoreless while retiring their batters in order. The Pioneers' pitching and defense proved formidable, shutting down the Loggers' offense to secure a 2-0 lead by the end of the 2nd inning.

Despite Puget Sound's efforts to rally back, Lewis & Clark maintained their lead throughout the game, ultimately clinching the win with a final score of 8-0. The Pioneers' solid performance on both offense and defense secured their victory in the second match-up of the doubleheader.

Game 3: Puget Sound 9, Lewis and Clark 27

In a high-scoring softball showdown against the Lewis & Clark Pioneers, the Puget Sound Loggers found themselves on the wrong side of a 27-9 defeat at Logger Field on Saturday.

The Pioneers wasted no time asserting their dominance, amassing a six-run lead in the top of the first inning. Gina Ozuna's single down the right-field line set the tone, followed by a series of hits and errors that allowed Lewis & Clark to build an early advantage.

Despite solid defensive efforts from Puget Sound, the Pioneers continued to pile on runs, extending their lead to 11-0 by the end of the second inning.

The Loggers finally found some offensive rhythm in the bottom of the third, sparked by Claire Besancon's two-run double. Puget Sound capitalized on errors by Lewis & Clark to mount a comeback, narrowing the gap to 9-8 by the end of the inning. With two hits from Abby Pearce, and singles from Aislinn O'Reilly, Jessica Moore, Hope Fleischman, and Brenna Flannery. 

However, any hopes of a comeback were dashed as the Pioneers exploded for 12 runs in the top of the sixth inning, putting the game out of reach for the Loggers.

Despite a late RBI double from Moore in the bottom of the sixth, Puget Sound couldn't overcome the deficit, ultimately falling to the Pioneers in a lopsided affair.

Game 4: Puget Sound 3, Lewis and Clark 11

Loggers Fall Short Against Pioneers in Softball Clash

The Pioneers took an early lead in the top of the first inning, with Mari Alvarez's double bringing in two runs. Despite strong defensive efforts from the Loggers, Lewis & Clark continued to apply pressure, extending their lead to 9-3 by the end of the fifth inning.

Aislinn O'Reilly scored a home run in the bottom of the third, followed by a homer from Hope Fleischman in the bottom of the fourth to score in Moore. 

Puget Sound managed to hold off the Pioneers in the later innings, limiting their scoring opportunities. However, the Loggers struggled to generate enough offense to mount a comeback, ultimately falling short in the contest.

The Loggers next series will be at Pacific Lutheran University on Friday, May 4 at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. and at home on Logger Field on Saturday, May 5, at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.