PLU Powers Past Willamette to Secure Series Sweep

TACOMA, Wash. — The Pacific Lutheran University softball team completed a dominant Northwest Conference series sweep of Willamette University on Sunday, earning 9-1 and 11-3 victories behind strong pitching and timely offense. With the sweep, Pacific Lutheran improved to 25-7 overall and 17-3 in Northwest Conference play, strengthening its hold atop the conference standings. In Game 1, the Lutes broke open a tight contest with a seven-run fifth inning to secure the run-rule victory. Paola Garcia ended the game with a grand slam in the bottom of the fifth. Pacific Lutheran finished with nine hits and took advantage of two…