WALLA WALLA, Wash.  Joseph Zimmer on Sunday hit his seventh home run of the season, but he and Whitman College slipped another game behind Northwest Conference leader Pacific Lutheran University as the visiting Lutes took a 10-3 decision at Borleske Stadium.

Entering the weekend in second place within league standings, the Blues (12-15, 7-7 NWC) dropped to fifth after PLU (16-8, 14-2) swept the weekend series by taking both ends of a Saturday doubleheader before Sunday's win.

Three unearned runs in the top of the first off Whitman starting pitcher John Lyon provided the Lutes with a quick 3-0 cushion Sunday.

Zimmer cut into that deficit with a solo shot over the left field fence in the Whitman half of the frame. And the remaining deficit was halved in the bottom of the third with another run, this one coming on a single to left field by Lucas Thrun, who pushed Anthony Lim the final 90 feet with the RBI knock.

A PLU run in the fourth and then three more in the fifth ultimately sealed the win for the Lutes, who got six strong innings from starter Justin Armbruester and three innings of one-run relief work from Andrew Curran and Nathan Anderson.

Lyon (0-1) took the loss after lasting 4 1/3 innings, surrendering seven runs, three of which were unearned, on 10 hits and three walks.

Five Whitman relievers combined to finish off the remainder of the game, allowing the final three runs on six hits and two walks.

Thrun ended the day with a pair of singles for a multi-hit outing but Zimmer reached base four out of five of his at-bats, getting on via a base on balls, a hit batsman, and a fielder's choice.

The Blues are back at Borleske on Tuesday with a single, 3 p.m. conference game against visiting Whitworth University.