Pirates Softball Sweeps Pacific Lutheran 2-0

Pirates Softball Sweeps Pacific Lutheran 2-0

GEORGETOWN, Texas – In Game 2 of the Southwestern University Pirates softball season-opening doubleheader, relief pitcher Nadia Netek came off the bench to pitch 4.1 strong innings and the offense exploded in the fifth to defeat the Pacific Lutheran University Lutes 8-5.

Pacific Lutheran struck first in the top of the second when the Pirates gave up a two-out, unearned run on an infield pop-up error.

An inning later, the Lutes put together a big run after opening the inning with two outs, scoring three runs on five consecutive hits off starting pitcher Lindsey Longuet. Netek entered the game with two on and picked up the third out.

Andrea Hern opened up the bottom of the third inning with a leadoff double for the Pirates, advancing to third when Sydney Scott reached on an error. Hern then scored on a sacrifice fly from Kaitlynn Copher to put the Pirates on the board.

After struggling to string together consecutive hits off Pacific Lutheran starting pitcher Z Ellis for most of the game, the Pirates finally broke through in the bottom of the fifth, scoring on a bases loaded walk, getting a pinch-hit, three-RBI triple from Tori Montemayor, who then scored on a sacrifice fly from Maddie Mefford to give the Pirates a 6-4 lead.

Pacific Lutheran scored a run in the sixth on a RBI-single by B. Sorensen but the Pirates added two insurance runs in the bottom of the inning on a two-run blast to left field from Hern.

Netek retired the side in four batters in the seventh, shutting down the Lutes after the Pirates opened the inning with an error.

Sydney Scott and Celeste Silvas each hit 3-for-4 with a run scored. Montemayor was 1-for-2 with three RBIs and Hern was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBIs. The Pirates finished with 13 hits and eight a walk, leaving five runners stranded.

Netek pitched 4.1 innings, giving up four hits and one earned run to pick up her second win in as many games. With the wins, the Pirates open the season 2-0 while Pacific Lutheran drops to 2-2 after sweeping Trinity University to open their season.

The Pirates will host Hardin-Simmons on Friday, Feb. 8 with a doubleheader that starts at 3 p.m. Southwestern will host McMurry University on Feb. 9 for another doubleheader starting at 1 p.m.