PASCO, Wash. – Josh Davis doubled twice and drove in four runs to lead Whitworth to an 8-7 win over Willamette in a non-conference baseball game at the Swing Into Spring Classic hosted at Gesa Stadium.

The Pirates improved to 3-2-1 this season while the Bearcats fell to 2-2.  Whitworth used a six-run second inning to open a 6-3 lead then held on for the win. 

Tommy Kimura's two-run single highlighted a three-run second inning for Willamette.  Then the Pirates broke through with their six-run spot, all with two outs, in the bottom of the second.  After a hit batter and a walk, along with two strike outs and a passed ball, Erik Nikssarian drove in the first two runs with a double down the right field line.  Later in the inning Tyler Pfeffer drew a bases-loaded walk to tie the game.  Then Davis cleared the bases with a three-run double.

Two Pirate errors led to two Willamette runs in the fourth inning. 

Whitworth still led 6-5 when the Pirates scored a pair in the seventh.  The second Davis double of the game drove in Danny Jordan.  Justin Liu added another double that drove home Davis for an 8-5 lead.

The Bearcats got two back in the eighth.  Tyson Giza and Tosh Semlacher each had RBI singles.

Taylor Isadore pitched a perfect ninth inning to earn his first save of the season for Whitworth.

Davis finished 2-3 with his two doubles.  Pfeffer also doubled and scored a run.  Whitworth scored its eight runs on only six hits, thanks in part to five walks and a hit batter. 

Semlacher led Willamette with two hits.  Sky Kelly also had two hits.

Dan Scheibe earned his first win of the season on the mound for the Bucs, allowing five runs (three earned) on six hits in five innings of work.  He struck out eight and walked three.  Spencer Ansett pitched three innings and gave up two runs on five hits.

Peter Hoffman took the loss for the Bearcats after giving up six runs (two earned) on only three hits in five innings.  He struck out six and walked four.  Henry Harrison threw three innings and allowed two runs on three hits.

Whitworth will finish its weekend at the Swing Into Spring Classic with games against Puget Sound and Corban on Sunday.