CLAREMONT, Calif. – Visiting Whitworth used a pair of big innings to pull out a 12-7 win over Pomona-Pitzer Colleges in the 2014 baseball opener for both schools on Friday afternoon.

Joshua Davis drove in four runs and Thomas Wakem drilled a three-run home run for the Pirates, who won their first season-opener since a 6-5 win at Lewis-Clark State in 2008.

Whitworth turned around an early 3-1 deficit with six runs in the top of the fourth inning.  Jeremy Druffel tied the game with a two-run single and Wakem followed with the Pirates' first home run of the season.  Paul Miller added an RBI double later in the inning.

The Sagehens tied the game back up in the bottom of the sixth with a four-run frame.  Travis Bowers highlighted the rally with a two-run single.

But Pomona-Pitzer's momentum was short-lived as Whitworth broke out for its final five runs in the top of the seventh inning.  Davis doubled to center field with two outs and the bases loaded, driving in all three runners.  Druffel followed with an RBI double, giving him three RBIs in the game.

Both pitching staffs showed off-season rust, combining for 18 walks and three hit batters.  Cory Mack started for Whitworth and allowed three runs on three hits through three innings.  He walked five Sagehens.  Michael Renner threw the next three innings for Whitworth.  He was strong for the first two before Pomona-Pitzer broke through with the four runs in the sixth.  But Renner still gets credit for the win.

Taylor Isadore was strongest on the mound for the Bucs, getting the final nine outs for the save.  He gave up only one hit and two walks while striking out five batters.

Jake Bruml went the first 3.2 innings for the Sagehens, giving up seven runs (one earned) on six hits and five walks.  But it was Mark Okuma who took the loss after allowing five runs on five hits with one walk in three innings.

The teams will continue their three-game series with a doubleheader on Saturday.  The first game is scheduled to start at 11:00 am.