MISSOULA, Mont. – The Pacific softball program exploded for 18 runs and 25 hits on Saturday, resulting in a 9-0 win in game one and 9-8 game two win over Montana at Grizzly Softball Field.

GAME 1
The bulk of the Tigers (11-20) came in the final two innings, totaling eight runs and eight hits in the last two frames. During this run, four Tigers recorded at least one RBI with redshirt senior Olivia Silvestre leading the way with three runs batted in. The outfielder first singled through the right side in the sixth inning to plate one run and then stepped up in the seventh and placed the ball over the centerfield wall for two more runs.

The homer was her second of the season and the 13th in a Pacific uniform, bringing her within seven of entering the Pacific record book for career homers.

Sophomore Peyton Clifford and junior Bailey Boetjer each contributed two RBIs each during the run, the former's first multi-RBI game of the season. The latter meanwhile has stepped up with runners aboard recently, tallying RBIs in three of the last four contests.

Boetjer's three RBIs across both games today made her the first Tiger to reach 20 runs batted in this season and moved into a tie for seventh place in the WCC.

Freshman Kelly Whelihan tallied an RBI pinch hitting in the sixth inning to kick off the rally.

However, it was senior Allie Capello's RBI double in the second inning that gave Pacific a lead, and the only run it would really need as sophomore Alexa Lewis in the circle was lights out.

The sophomore spun her third career complete game, second this season, and the first shutout of her career. Despite only allowing two hits in her outing, she was effective working around traffic as Montana (5-21) was able to get two runners on in multiple innings, but each time Lewis was able to stymie the Grizzlies.

With a final line of seven innings pitched, two hits allowed, four walks and seven strikeouts, she moved over 50 strikeouts on the season, making her one of just four student-athletes in the conference with that distinction. She picked up her team leading fifth win.

As a team, Pacific has found great success against Montana under Head Coach Sam Duran-Kukuk as two of the three shutouts she's overseen have come against the Grizzlies.

GAME 2
Pacific again turned up the pressure in the seventh inning, scoring four runs that turned out to be the difference. Senior Jordan Hayes broke the 5-5 tie with a double to right field – the fourth consecutive game the senior has notched a double. Coming into the season, Hayes had eight career extra base hits (two homers, two triples, four doubles) and now this season she has seven extra base hits (six doubles and one homers).

One batter later, fellow senior Amanda Bricker stepped up in a pinch-hitter role and blasted a three-eun homer over the fence in left center to bring Pacific to its final run total.

Leading up to the seventh inning, the Tigers struck early an consistently, pushing runs across in each of the first three innings – highlighted by a triple from junior Zaedi Tagalog. The fourth three-bagger of her season, she became the first since Rian Dirmeyer in 2021 to hit at least four triples in a season, but also just the fifth Tiger this century to do so. Currently in a 12-way tie for eighth place in program history for single season triples, she needs just two more to tie for the single season record.

Silvestre also hit a double, meaning her next one will enter her in the single season record book for the second time in her career – joining Barbara Moody and Nikki Armagost as the only Tigers to do so currently. She is also on pace to hit 22 doubles this season, which would place her second in team history.

Boetjer and Clifford would also each push runs across the plate.

In the circle, sophomore Kaytee Dahlstrom was credited with the win, spinning 2.2 innings pitched and gave up three runs on five hits and a walk. Junior Ariel Nava picked up the save, getting the final two outs of the contest without incident.

Junior Justice Alcaraz worked 0.1 innings as the starter – while freshman Carley Mulcahey pitched the majority of the game with 3.1 innings pitched.

UP NEXT
The series finale, Pacific goes for the sweep and then embarks on the conference play portion of the schedule – traveling to Saint Mary's next weekend. First pitch from Missoula is set for 10 a.m. tomorrow but will not be streamed.

Tigers Tickets
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