TACOMA, Wash. — Despite a solid effort from the Logger defense and flashes at the plate, the Puget Sound softball team fell to Pacific Lutheran, 6-1, Saturday afternoon in Northwest Conference action at home. Seniors Emily Ogilvee-Fiacco, Mikayla Johnson, Savannah Manley, and Aislind Dail were all honored after the doubleheader, as a part of senior day recognitions.

The Lutes came out swinging, plating four runs in the first two innings. Pacific Lutheran's Zoe Smithson delivered a standout performance, tallying a solo home run in the seventh inning and finishing 2-for-4 with three RBIs. Catcher Bri Sarae added two hits, including a double and an RBI single in the second, and stole a bag for good measure.

Puget Sound's lone run came in the bottom of the fourth. After a leadoff double by Aislind Dail, Mikayla Johnson followed with a single to set the table. Catcher Alyssa Waldo brought Dail home with a base hit to center, cutting the deficit to 5-1. Waldo went 2-for-3 at the plate, leading the Loggers' six-hit effort.

Logger starter Alison Madia went the distance in the circle, allowing eight hits and five earned runs while walking two. Though she didn't record a strikeout, she kept Puget Sound within reach, retiring the side in order in the third and sixth frames.

On the flip side, Pacific Lutheran pitcher Paige Wilson was dominant from start to finish. Wilson fanned 12 Loggers across seven innings and didn't issue a single walk, earning the complete-game win while scattering six hits.

With the loss, Puget Sound was unable to capitalize on late baserunners, stranding six for the game. Claire Besancon chipped in with a single and stolen base in the fifth, but the offense couldn't build sustained momentum.

Then, in game two, the Loggers saw more sparks, but not enough to overcome the Lutes. A four-run rally in the fifth inning brought the Loggers back to life, but the gap proved too wide to close as the Loggers fell 7–4.

Puget Sound racked up nine hits and threatened late but couldn't fully recover from a six-run deficit after three innings. The Lutes capitalized on early miscues and a four-run third inning to gain control.

PLU jumped out to a 2–0 lead in the top of the first, thanks to a passed ball and an RBI groundout. They expanded the margin with a big third inning that included an RBI single by Brookelyn Gutierrez and a two-run double from Brooke Tilson. The Lutes added one more in the fifth on a sacrifice fly to make it 7–1.

The Loggers didn't go quietly.

In the bottom of the fifth, pinch-hitter Liberty Shake sparked the offense with a walk, and Brenna Flannery followed with a double. Catcher Claire Besancon then delivered a two-run single to right, slicing the deficit to 7–3. Moments later, Mikayla Johnson lined an RBI single to plate Besancon, bringing Puget Sound within three.

Puget Sound's momentum stalled from there, as PLU reliever Anderson held the Loggers hitless over the final two frames and notched four strikeouts.

Johnson led the offense with a 2-for-4 day and one RBI. Besancon added two RBIs and reached base twice. Kylie Tanimura collected two hits and was hit by a pitch but was caught stealing in the first.

On the mound, Nyomi Estrada threw a complete game for Puget Sound, allowing five hits and striking out five, though defensive errors contributed to six of the seven runs being earned.

The Loggers finish out their season at Pacific Lutheran tomorrow with one last doubleheader. The first game begins at 11:00am.