By John Tveter, sports writer
No one seems to be able to silence the Lutes baseball bats or overpower their defense. In the past eight games, Pacific Lutheran University has won seven. Against Whitworth this past weekend, the Lutes continued their trend of winning.
Taking the mound Saturday to start Game 1 was pitcher Trevor Lubking, a junior. After swapping runs in the first inning, Luking’s pitching and the stingy defense behind him shut down the Pirates and the Lutes managed to push across two more runs to secure the 3-1 victory.
Lubking’s stellar outing sparked the victory as he went the distance for a complete game, finishing with 13 strikeouts on 119 pitches.
“As a pitcher, it’s a luxury to know that if the ball is put into play, it’s a sure out,” Lubking said. “(Second baseman) Ben Welch and (shortstop) Bo Pearson were stellar and the outfielders covered a ton of ground. We pride ourselves on our pitching and defense.”
Offensively, senior Alec Beal was an offensive catalyst for the Lutes with two hits, including a homerun in the first inning and a double later in the game. Beal wasn’t done there and added a sacrifice fly in the third inning.
Junior Collin Nilson drove home the third run of the game, securing the victory for the Lutes. Pearson and Welch each managed a hit, and scored a run for the Lutes as well.
