FOREST GROVE, Ore. – A late rally by Pacific handed the University of Puget Sound baseball team a 7-6 loss in a back-and-forth affair this afternoon.

The Loggers struggled early to capitalize on their opportunities, scoring just one run through the first five innings. Pacific (12-10) took advantage of Puget Sound's slow start, building a 4-0 lead by the third inning. However, the Loggers' offense roared to life in the top of the sixth, scoring five runs to take a 5-4 lead.

Puget Sound was powered by strong performances at the plate from shortstop Preston Crockett, who drove in two runs with a double in the sixth, and left fielder Cody Hirano, who contributed an RBI single. The Loggers tied the game at 6-6 in the top of the ninth, but Pacific's clutch hitting in the bottom of the frame sealed the win.

The game started with early momentum for Pacific, as a double to right field and a stolen base allowed a Boxer run to score on a wild play in the first inning. Pacific built on this lead with three more runs in the third, highlighted by a home run.

Puget Sound struggled to break through, but a single run in the fifth, aided by an error from the Pacific pitcher, finally got the Loggers on the board. They followed up with four runs in the sixth, culminating in Crockett's two-RBI double.

But Pacific refused to back down. In the bottom of the ninth, with the game tied at 6-6, a Boxer walk-off single to right field delivered the game-winning run, as Pacific claimed the 7-6 victory.

Despite a strong effort from the Logger bullpen, including scoreless innings from Ethan Rattie and Braden Blackwell, Puget Sound couldn't hold onto its late-game advantage.

In game two, the script flipped in favor of the Loggers. Puget Sound rallied late for a 3-2 win over Pacific in a tense, extra-inning showdown.

The Loggers answered Pacific's early lead in the top of the sixth. With two outs, Drew Kamihara singled to right-center and stole second. Cody Hirano walked, and Makana Murashige followed with a single to load the bases. Cooper Allen then doubled down the left field line, bringing in two runs to give the Loggers a 2-1 lead.

Pacific, however, tied the game in the bottom of the seventh. The game went to extra innings, and in the top of the tenth, Hirano singled with one out and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Murashige then hit a clutch single to score Hirano, putting the Loggers ahead 3-2.

Zach Robman, who had pitched three shutout innings in relief, shut down Pacific in the bottom of the tenth. Despite loading the bases, Robman forced the final three batters to ground out and struck out two, securing the victory for Puget Sound.

Loggers pitcher Charlie Decker worked seven strong innings, allowing just two earned runs on five hits. Robman (1-2) earned the win, while Edwards (1-1) took the loss for Pacific.

The teams meet again tomorrow at noon, for game three of the series.