March 11, 2007

Lutes Struggle at the Plate, Lose Rubber Match 5-1

Game Stats

McMINNVILLE, Ore.- Pacific Lutheran dropped its second straight game against Linfield on Sunday, 5-1, as the host Wildcats took two-of-three in the series.

The Lutes got off to an early 1-0 lead but Linfield pitcher Josh Guterman would settle down and give up only six hits in 6 2/3 innings work while forcing 13 Lute ground balls.

With the loss, the Lutes fall to 1-2 in the Northwest Conference and to 10-5 overall. Next weekend they will return home for the first time in more than a month for three-game series against Pacific.

The Lutes struggled to get in an offensive groove for the majority of the game, manufacturing their one run in the top of the first inning. Roger Guzman led off the game with a single to right field and then advanced to second base on a passed ball. Tyler Green’s sacrifice bunt advanced Guzman to third and Jordan Post drove in PLU's only run with a sacrifice fly to left field.

While hits were hard to come by, the Lutes had several good scoring opportunities. They left nine runners on base, including the bases loaded in the top of the seventh inning. PLU finished with six hits.

Hunter Simpson took the loss for the Lutes, pitching four innings while giving up six hits and four earned runs. With the loss he drops to 1-1 for the season.

- PLU -