By: Ryan Lackey

NEWBERG, Ore. --- After splitting yesterday's doubleheader, the Bruins finished the four-game series against Pacific Lutheran with another split on Wednesday. Kimi Ito's three-run homer, plus two more from Annie Veatch, powered the Bruins to a 5-2 win early, but the Lutes's Elli Rassbach threw a gem in the late game, shutting out the Bruins 6-0.

Recap:

Game One
The Bruins's top two arms, Abbie Bergerson and Madison Sorensen, combined to hold the Lutes scoreless through five and to just two runs overall. The Bruins, meanwhile, built an early lead on the bats of Annie Veatch and Kimi Ito.

In the bottom of the second, with Marissa Miller, who shut out the Bruins yesterday, on the mound, Veatch made sure there would be no shutout. Veatch picked out an offering from Miller and rocked it over the center-field fence, putting the Bruins up, 1-0.

Just three batters later, and after singles from Ashley Bunce and Rebecca Pridmore, Ito did the same, homering to left-center. With Ito's three-run shot, the Bruins held a 4-0 lead.

Veatch continued her power trip in the third—batting with two outs and no one on, Miller made another mistake, and Veatch pounced, sending another solo homer over the left field fence.

With a 5-0 lead, Bergerson cruised until the sixth, when Amanda Hartley got the Lutes on the scorebaord with an RBI double. Sorensen replaced Bergerson and gave up another run in the seventh, an RBI single to Nicole Schroeder, but the Bruins kept the 5-2 scoreline and took the victory.

Game Two
Wednesday's second game didn't go as swimmingly for the Bruins. Lutes starter Elli Rassbach had one of her best outings of the year, throwing a complete-game shutout. The Bruins managed five hits and two walks, and loaded the bases in the first, but they were unable to score.

Pacific Lutheran, though, did score: in the fourth, Alyssa Harris, who kept the Lutes scoreless through three, gave up four in the fourth. Schroeder hit an RBI double, and Hartley knocked in two with a double of her own. An error let in the fourth.

The Lutes tacked on two insurance runs in the seventh for a 6-0 win.

Top Performers:

Game One
The Bruins played longball, and Veatch led the way, going 2-3 with two solo homers. Ito's one homer netted her three RBIs, and she finished 2-3.

Game Two
Kayla Anderson and Ashley Bunce both recorded two hits. Both Harris and Sorensen, who relieved Harris in the fourth, were effective, allowed just two earned runs apiece.

What It Means:
The Bruins are 19-9 overall and 9-7 in conference.

What Comes Next:
On Saturday, the Bruins begin a four-game set at Pacific University.