SPOKANE, Wash. – Abbie Bergerson threw a five-hit shutout to lead George Fox to a 3-0 win and eliminate host Whitworth from the 2015 Northwest Conference softball tournament on Saturday morning at Diana Marks Field. 

The Pirates dropped to 31-12 and now must hope for an at-large bid to the NCAA Division III tournament in May.  The Bruins improved to 31-12 and advanced to play Linfield in the championship round.

Bergerson scattered the five hits throughout the game and didn't allow more than one hit in any inning.  She struck out six batters without a walk and improved to 19-6 this season. 

The Bruins scored two of their runs in the third inning when Annie Veatch delivered a two-out single to left field that drove in Rebecca Pridmore and Amanda Woods.  George Fox added a third run in the top of the seventh inning on Wood's sacrifice fly to short left field.

Whitworth's best chances to score came in the fourth and fifth innings when the Pirates had doubles with one out each time – first by Peyton McMahon and then by Sacha Clow.  But Bergerson was able to work out of trouble in each case.

Makayla Lefever (17-5) went the distance in the circle for Whitworth.  She allowed three runs on eight hits with seven strikeouts and two walks.