TACOMA, Wash. --- Linfield softball (30-6, 18-6 NWC) was unable to comeback in Sunday's doubleheader against the Pacific Lutheran Lutes (28-8, 20-4 NWC), falling 6-4 and 7-3. 
 
GAME ONE
Similar to both games yesterday, Pacific Lutheran jumped on the Linfield starting pitcher, putting up two runs in the home half of the first inning thanks to a two-run homer.
 
Cydney Hess answered to leadoff the second inning, sending a ball to deep left field, making it 2-1 Lutes. PLU added four runs in the bottom of the second on five hits, including the second home run of the game for PLU's Paola Garcia.
 
Linfield scattered three singles over the next three innings, able to plate three runs in a two-out rally in the sixth. McKenna Parmelee doubled to right, followed by a shallow infield single by Emily Foytack. Lexiss Antle scored one with a single that snuck past the Lutes third baseman. Sophia Pappas brought home two with her double to left center, making it 6-4 entering the final frame.
 
Two lineouts and flyout by the Wildcats in the top of the seventh gave the Lutes game three of the four-game series. 
 
Eight different Wildcats recorded one hit in the game, led by shortstop Sophie Pappas whose double brought in two runs in the sixth. Linfield struck out four times, stranding five on base. McNeley (16-3) went all six innings on the mound for a second consecutive day, allowing six runs on 10 hits, striking out one. 
 
GAME TWO
Looking to split the series in game four, Breanna Bartek reached via error in the first, scoring on a double by Meara Sain to put Linfield up 1-0.
 
McNeley, making her second start of the day, ran into trouble in the bottom of the second inning. She walked a batter before two quick outs, but the Lutes rallied to score four runs following an error in the infield, 4-1 PLU.
 
Cydney Hess, serving as the designated player, doubled in the fourth, scoring on an Emily Foytack single to the outfield that cut the deficit to two.
 
The 'Cats momentum came to a halt when Pacific Lutheran brought home two with a single to left, one of which scoring after an error in left field. The Lutes executed small ball to extend their lead even further an inning later, going up 7-2.
 
Hess homered to leadoff the sixth, but that was the last of the Wildcats scoring, managing just one hit the rest of the way. PLU won game four, 7-3, and took three of four games in the series. It's the 'Cats first four-game season series loss to an NWC opponent since 2015. 
 
CatBall tallied six hits, two each coming from Breanna Bartek and Cydney Hess, as the team struck out just once and left five runners on base. McNeley (16-4) pitched all of both games to finish the series, with just two of the Lutes seven runs being earned on seven hits and six walks. 
 
UP NEXT
Softball hosts the Puget Sound Loggers next weekend at Del Smith Stadium, Saturday's doubleheader slated to start at Noon. Sunday will begin at 11 a.m. following the 'Cats Senior Day celebration.
 
To follow Linfield Wildcats coverage all season long, visit golinfieldwildcats.com. Please consider following Linfield Athletics on Facebook, and @LinfieldSports on Instagram and X.com. 
 
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