PORTLAND, Ore. — Despite a late push, the Puget Sound softball team couldn't overcome an early deficit, falling 8-2 to Lewis & Clark this morning.

The Pioneers (26-7, 18-5 NWC) jumped out early with three runs in the bottom of the first inning, capitalizing on a pair of sacrifice flies and a double to left field. They added another run in the second following a Puget Sound throwing error to stretch their lead to 4-1.

Puget Sound (9-24, 4-19 NWC) showed signs of life in the top of the second. Mikayla Johnson ripped a leadoff double, later scoring on a sacrifice fly from Alyssa Waldo to trim the deficit to two. However, Lewis & Clark's offense stayed aggressive, tacking on insurance runs in the fourth and fifth innings.

Johnson and Alyssa Figueroa each tallied extra-base hits for the Loggers, with Johnson doubling and Figueroa adding a double of her own in the seventh. Brenna Flannery provided a spark off the bench, connecting for an RBI triple down the left-field line in the final frame to plate Figueroa for Puget Sound's second run.

Nyomi Estrada started in the circle for the Loggers and pitched four innings, surrendering five earned runs on eight hits. Johnson relieved Estrada in the fifth, allowing one run over the final two innings.

At the plate, Puget Sound was held to four hits, while Lewis & Clark piled up 11. The Pioneers' Grace Ozuna led all hitters, going 3-for-4 with an RBI and a stolen base. Lewis & Clark also took advantage on the basepaths, swiping six bags throughout the game.

Molly O'Leary earned the win for the Pioneers, striking out six and walking none across 6.2 innings.

In game two, Kylie Tanimura went 3-for-4 with three runs scored and an RBI, and Aislind Dail blasted a two-run homer, but the Loggers dropped a hard-fought 9-8 decision.

The Loggers (9-25, 4-20 NWC) struck early with Dail's two-run hit in the first inning, plating Tanimura and staking Puget Sound to an early 2-0 lead. Dail wasn't done there—she finished the day 3-for-4 with three RBIs, energizing the Logger offense throughout the afternoon.

Puget Sound continued to apply pressure, scoring two more runs in the third and fifth innings to keep pace with the Pioneers (27-7, 19-5 NWC). A clutch two-RBI single up the middle by catcher Alyssa Waldo highlighted the fifth, narrowing the gap to just one run.

Claire Besancon provided another spark in the sixth, crushing a two-run homer to left field that briefly pulled the Loggers within striking distance. Besancon went 2-for-4 with two RBIs in the loss.

Despite Puget Sound's late push, Lewis & Clark answered each Logger surge. The Pios delivered the decisive blow with a two-run inside-the-park home run during a pivotal fourth inning for the Pioneers. 

On the mound, Alison Madia started for Puget Sound, throwing 5.1 innings and allowing seven earned runs on 13 hits. Naomi Estrada finished the final two outs for the Loggers.

The Loggers totaled 10 hits in the contest and committed just one error defensively. Tanimura also shined in the field, recording eight putouts in center.

Puget Sound returns home next weekend to face the Pacific Lutheran Lutes during their last series of the season.