FOREST GROVE, Ore. — The Puget Sound Loggers' historic first appearance in the Northwest Conference Championships as a DIII program met a hiccup this afternoon as they fell to Pacific, 2-7, at Chuck Bafaro Stadium in Forest Grove, Ore. Despite their best efforts, the Loggers were unable to overcome the offensive power of the Boxers.

Pacific struck early, with Davis Koester launching a two-run home run in the first inning to put the Boxers on top. The Loggers answered in the fourth, with Ryan Spero doubling to right field to drive in Makana Murashige, who had singled. Spero later scored on a single by Preston Crockett, briefly leveling the score at 2-2.

However, Pacific wasted no time reclaiming the lead. The Boxers posted two more runs in their half of the fourth, capped by an RBI double from Riz Collado. Benjamin Lewis extended the lead with a two-run blast in the fifth, making it 6-2. The Loggers' bats fell silent from that point on, with the only bright spot coming in the form of a pinch-hit single by Kahiau Teruya in the ninth.

Puget Sound starter Charlie Decker (3-5) lasted six innings, surrendering six runs on eight hits. Mason Seay pitched two innings in relief, allowing one run. Pacific's Governor Aufranc (4-5) earned the win, allowing two runs on seven hits through six innings. William Merriott recorded the save, pitching three scoreless innings without allowing a walk.

The loss drops the Loggers to 1-1 in the tournament, with their postseason hopes now hinging on the next matchup, beginning at 4:30 this afternoon versus Whitworth, in an elimination match. Yesterday, the Loggers topped Whitworth in an 11-inning showdown, and look to close the door on the Pirates' season this evening.