TEMPE, Ariz. – The Pacific softball team played two games much closer than either score indicated, falling 5-0 in game one to Nevada and then 9-6 in the nightcap to Arizona State on Saturday at Farrington Softball Stadium.

GAME 1
Outside of the fourth inning, where Nevada (5-4) scored all five of its runs, the combination of junior Ariel Nava and freshman Sophia Lambaren were able to set the Wolf Pack down in order in five of seven innings. Up until the point at which Lambaren replaced Nava, the junior had only needed 35 pitches to work through the opening three innings. Nava finished with a final line of three innings pitched, four hits, four runs (all earned), and two strikeouts – the loss is her first of the season.

Lambaren, making her collegiate debut, leaned on her defense to navigate the remaining four innings including eight ground outs and three fly outs to produce a final ledger of four innings pitched, two hits, one run (earned), a walk and a strikeout.

At the dish, redshirt senior Olivia Silvestre was the most successful applying pressure to Nevada, reaching once on an error, once on a fielder's choice and another smacking a double to left field. She also stole two bases to put herself in scoring position every time she got on.

Junior Bailey Boetjer continued her strong start to the season, picking up her seventh hit of the season – she would later pick up number eight against Arizona State (9-1). She also reached via a walk.
The Tigers (1-8) will get two more looks at the Wolf Pack later in the season in the form of a home-and-home mid-week series.

GAME 2
Like game one, the bulk of the damage came in a single inning as ASU was able to score seven of its nine runs in a single inning, this time the sixth. Leading up to the sixth innings, Pacific and ASU were locked in an intense 2-2 showdown that had seen each team only be able to advance a runner beyond second base once.

Arizona State was able to do so in the second inning where a two-run RBI single represented the game's first runs while Pacific was able to manufacture two runs. Junior Kaylah Adams brought in the first Tiger run via a sacrifice fly that scored junior Zaedi Tagalog but an errant throw from ASU allowed Silvestre to score from second on the play and knot the game.

Sophomore Kaytee Dahlstrom, the Tigers pitcher of record, put up a final line of 5.2 innings pitched, 11 hits, nine runs (all earned), two walks and three strikeouts. However, prior to the sixth inning she had only conceded two runs on five hits. Lambaren appeared again in relief, this time cleaning up the final defensive out.

Despite surrendering the big inning, the Pacific bats did not go quietly in the seventh. All with two outs, the Tigers utilized a bunt, two hit-by-pitches and an error to plate one run and set the stage for Boetjer to clear the bases and put Pacific back in the game – which she promptly did. She put a ball in right center field that brought home senior Allie Capello (reached via error), Silvestre (hit-by-pitch), and freshman Kelly Whelihan (pinch runner for Adams who was hit by pitch).

The three RBIs increased Boetjer's lead on the team to eight this season, double second place Adams with four. The junior also only trails Capello by one for the team lead in total bases. The double was her second of the season and the third extra base hit of the season.

UP NEXT
The Tigers finish out the Littlewood Classic with a single game Sunday against Arizona State. First pitch is 11:45 am on ESPN+.

Tigers Tickets
Tickets for upcoming events can be purchased through the PacificTigers.com tickets tab, or by calling the Box Office at 209-946-2474. Groups of 10 or more are eligible for a group discount and exclusive fan experiences.

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