TACOMA, Wash. - Whitworth extended its win streak to four games with a doubleheader sweep on Saturday at Puget Sound, using a three-run inning in each game to go along with strong pitching performances en route to the victories. The Pirates claimed the opener, 4-2, before winning the second game, 6-3.

No. 14 Whitworth (16-4, 8-3 NWC) came from behind to win both contests in clinching a series victory against Puget Sound (9-13, 6-8).

The Pirates will attempt to sweep the series on Sunday with the first pitch of the series finale set for 10:30 a.m. The game was originally schedule for noon but a time change announcement was made late on Saturday afternoon.

Game 1: Whitworth 4, Puget Sound 2

Whitworth scored three times in the third inning and Hugh Smith went eight innings on the mound to help the Pirates claim the series opener.

Smith (3-0) allowed only two earned runs, with one run apiece scored by the Loggers in the first and sixth innings. In the first, Puget Sound leadoff hitter Cal Muramaru tripled and scored on a groundout by Layne Croney for the quick 1-0 lead.

Whitworth responded to take the lead with the three-run third inning, highlighted by Daniel Casanova's two-run triple. Following a leadoff walk to Nate Lamberty and a double by Garrett Hughes, Casanova tripled down the right-field line. Casanova also scored on the play along with Lamberty and Hughes when the Puget Sound second baseman overthrew third base.

Puget Sound cut the lead to one run when Chris Zerio belted a solo home run during the sixth inning, but Whitworth answered with a solo home run of its own in the eighth. Matthew Nelson connected for his fourth home run of the season for a 4-2 Whitworth advantage.

Kelly Fitzpatrick relieved Smith to close the game in the ninth, allowing a single and walk before striking out James Dejesus to end the game and halt a potential rally. Fitzpatrick collected his first save of the season.

Smith and Puget Sound starter Collin Maier (3-3) both performed admirably, with Maier throwing seven innings and striking out nine Pirates. Smith gave up eight hits, striking out four without allowing a walk.

Nelson was 2-for-4 with a run scored and one RBI while Joel Condreay was 2-for-4. Zerio went 3-for-4 with a run scored and RBI while Ben Jones went 2-for-3 to lead the Loggers.

Game 2: Whitworth 6, Puget Sound 3

The Pirates came from behind once again and broke a tie with three runs in the sixth inning to complete the doubleheader sweep during the nightcap.

The Pirates jumped to a 1-0 lead after Casanova led off the game with a double and later scored when Nelson produced a sacrifice fly to left field.

The Loggers answered with two runs in the bottom of the first by way of four hits. Muramaru once again sparked the offense with a leadoff double and scored when Zerio singled through the right side. Zerio moved himself into scoring position with a steal before Nathan Backes delivered an RBI single to left field.

The Pirates tied the game at 2-2 when Hughes scored Ryan Bird with a sacrifice fly in the second inning before taking the lead during the fifth with a two-out rally. A two-out double by Jeremy Druffel was followed with a single by Nelson for the 3-2 lead.

The Loggers rallied back to tie the game in the bottom half of the fifth with Zerio and Muramaru again providing the offense. Muramaru doubled with one out and advanced to third on a bunt single by Nickolas Alarcio before Zerio came through with another RBI single. But Whitworth starter T.J. Orchard got the next two batters to fly out and keep the game tied.

Whitworth loaded the bases with one out to set up the rally in the sixth. A one-out walk to Bird followed by singles from Lamberty and Casey Isa set the stage for Hughes, who gave Whitworth a 4-3 lead by reaching on a fielder's choice. A second run came home with a wild pitch before Casanova extended the lead to three runs with a sacrifice fly.

Orchard went 6 ⅓ innings, allowing three earned runs on nine hits. He struck out four and did not allow a walk. JD Page pitched the final 2 ⅔ innings to pick up his first save, allowing two hits with one walk and one batter hit by pitch.

Puget Sound starter Joshua Zavisubin (0-3) allowed six earned runs on eight hits in 5 ⅓ innings.

Isa went 2-for-3 while Casanova was 2-for-4 with a run scored and Druffel finished 2-for-5 with a run scored.

Alarcio was 3-for-5 to lead the Loggers.