By: Ryan Lackey

NEWBERG, Ore. --- After yesterday's doubleheader split, the Bruins had a series win within reach but lost Sunday's rubber game with Pacific Lutheran 4-2 in 11 innings.

Recap:
Bruin starter Sam Morland was in top form, working seven near-perfect innings, scattering four hits and holding the Lutes scoreless. And after the third inning, the Bruins seemed to be cruising towards a victory. With one out in the third, AJ Valencia shot a double into the left-center gap and Gabe Louthan singled. Jake Thran then slipped a single through the right side to score both, and the Bruins led 2-0.

That 2-0 lead seemed plenty for Morland, but he tired after the seventh, and Liam Kent came on in relief. Kent immediately coughed up a double, a walk, and another double, and thereby the lead. With the score then tied at 2-2, Jake Timlin replaced Kent on the mound, and the Bruins, after stranding two runners on in the eighth, marched on into extra innings.

Timlin did well in the tenth to escape a tight jam, getting a popup and a flyout to strand the bases loaded. But the Bruins were held scoreless in the tenth as well, and the Lutes managed two RBI singles in the eleventh: Tyler Thompson and Connor Cantu both knocked in runs, and the Bruins were behind, 4-2.

Louthan singled to begin the Bruins's half of the eleventh, but no rally emerged, and the 4-2 final stood.

Top Performers:
Morland had a dazzling start and was unlucky not to receive a decision. Louthan had a good day, going 3-6 and scoring a run. Caylen Clardy was 2-5. Thran went 1-4 and drove in both Bruin runs.

What It Means:
The Bruins hold a 16-11 record after Saturday, 9-6 in the Northwest Conference.

What Comes Next:
Next Saturday the Bruins travel to Puget Sound for a three-game set.