April 5, 2008

Boxers Take Two From Pacific Lutheran

Game One
Game Two

FOREST GROVE, Ore. ­ Pacific opened up the new Sherman/Larkins Stadium in a fashion fitting the former Pacific softball coach Saturday as the Boxers swept a Northwest Conference softball doubleheader from Pacific Lutheran.

In the opener, Brooke Toy tied the school record for home runs in a season with a three-run shot in the first, her fifth, propelling the Boxers to a 9-0, five-inning victory. The nightcap saw Pacific emerge from a rain delay to put together a five-run third inning and go on to a 6-2 win.

The pairing was an appropriate one on the field named for former Pacific softball coach and athletic director Judy Sherman, who battled many years for Northwest Conference championships with the Lutes. A ceremony prior to the game dedicated the stadium in Sherman's honor.

Miranda McNealy improved to 12-1 with the game one victory, allowing just one hit and three walks while striking out eight. The Lutes' one hit came when Brittney Weissenbuehler single to lead off the third. Hadley Schmitt took the loss, allowing nine runs on eight hits and three
walks with three strikeouts.

After a 1 hour, 15 minute rain delay, the Boxers came alive to score five runs in the bottom of the third and take a 6-0 lead in the second game. The Lutes (11-15, 8-6 NWC) notched their two runs in the top of seventh when Heather Walling scored on Carly Starke's single and Caitlyn Brown scored on a fielder's choice.

Andrea Bansen improved to 10-1 with the victory, allowing two runs on six hits with five walks and six strikeouts. Rachel Wheeler-Hoyt took the loss for PLU, allowing six runs, five earned, on five hits and three walks with two strikeouts.

The two teams will finish their four-game NWC series on Sunday beginning at noon.

(Courtesy of Pacific Sports Information)