NCAA Division III
Northwest Conference
Laurie Turner, Athletic Director

Northwest Conference Championships
1987-1988-1989-1990-1991-1992-1993-1994-1995-1996-1997-1999
2000-2001-2002-2003

 
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Athletic Department
Pacific Lutheran Univ.
Tacoma, WA 98447

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About PLU Softball

Pacific Lutheran softball has an outstanding tradition of success on the field. While an NAIA member, PLU won national championships in 1988 and 1992 and finished as runner-up in 1990. In the past 21 years, the Lutes have won 16 Northwest Conference championships.

Since joining NCAA Division III during the 1998-99 school year, PLU has advanced to five regional tournaments and played for the regional title on four occasions. In 2002, the Lutes tied an NCAA record with 34 consecutive wins, captured a regional title and advanced to the NCAA Division III national tournament where they finished fourth.

Since 1987, PLU players have earned All-America honors 20 times, highlighted when Shannon Fritzke was selected as the 2002 NCAA Division III Player of the Year. During Coach Rick Noren's 13-year tenure, Lute players have won nine Northwest Conference Player of the Year awards.

PLU softball players also have a rich tradition of success in the classroom, including seven NAIA All-America Scholar-Athlete honorees. In 2006, Gretchen Ruecker received first team Academic All-America honors.

Team Accomplishments Under Coach Noren:
2002 - 4th Place NCAA National Tournament
2002 - NCAA Regional Champions
1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 - NCAA Regional Tournament
1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 -
Northwest Conference Champions
1996, 1997 Pacific Northwest Regional Champions
1997 NAIA National Tournament - 3rd Place

Contact Info:
Head Coach Rick Noren
Memorial Gymnasium
Pacific Lutheran University
Tacoma, WA 98447
Phone: (253) 535-7419
Email: norenre@plu.edu


Athlete Spotlight

Lisa
Gilbert


The only senior on this year's PLU team, Lisa Gilbert takes her leadership role seriously

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Lute Notes

Seven Lutes Named to 2008 All-NWC Teams

May 6, 2008

Seven Pacific Lutheran softball players were listed when the Northwest Conference named the all-conference teams on Monday. Two Lutes earned first team honors, three were listed on the second team, and two more earned honorable mention.

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Noren Reaches 400 Wins as Lutes Sweep Loggers

April 26, 2008

Pacific Lutheran head coach Rick Noren reached 400 career wins as the Lutes swept the Puget Sound Loggers, 3-2 and 4-2, in a Northwest Conference doubleheader on Saturday.

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Noren Stepping Down as Fastpitch Head Coach

Rick Noren, who has won 398 games in 14 seasons as Pacific Lutheran University’s fastpitch coach, will step down at the end of May to assume the role of athletic director at Life Christian Academy in Tacoma.

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More PLU Softball News