by Katelyn McLean
Student Writer

WALLA-WALLA, Wash. – A strong rally in the second game came up just short as the Whitworth University baseball team opened Northwest Conference play 0-2 after losing both games of a Saturday doubleheader at Whitman's Borleske Stadium.

The Blues (8-6 overall, 5-1 NWC) won game one 4-2 and game two 8-7, dropping the Pirates' record to 0-2 in conference and 1-8 overall.

The Pirates play another double-header tomorrow against Whitman and hope to even their conference record to 2-2.

Game one – Whitman 4, Whitworth 2
Catcher Ryan Gross propelled the Pirates to an early lead with a sacrifice fly that scored infielder Joe Howell in the bottom of the first.

Whitworth added a run in the fifth inning, where an RBI double from first-baseman Brendan Duncan scored infielder Ethan Schulte, extending the lead to 2-0.

Whitman found its offensive groove late in the game, scoring two runs on an RBI single from Simeon Downing in the bottom of the seventh to even the score.

The Blues took the lead in the eighth inning on a two-run home run from Kevin Nakamura.

Dylan Bishop started on the mound for the Pirates, allowing no runs on three hits and two walks in six innings. Dylan Owen allowed two runs on zero hits and two walks and failed to record an out in the seventh. Landon Shigeta (0-1) finished the game for Whitworth, allowing two runs on two hits in two innings pitched and was the pitcher of record.

Dexter Aichele pitched seven innings for the Blues and Travis Craven picked up the win in relief.

Game two – Whitman 8, Whitworth 7 (7 innings)
Trailing 7-2 after four innings, Whitworth rallied to within a run and had the potential tying run on second base in the top of the seventh, but could not quite complete the comeback.

The Blues got off to a strong start, scoring on RBI singles from Leo Rivera and Simeon Downing, for a 2-0 lead in the first.

Jaxen Sweum answered for the Pirates with a two-run home run, evening the score at 2-2.

Whitman put together a five run second inning, scoring on RBI singles from Brett Williams and Ben Parker. Leo Rivera and Jerick Nomera followed with bases-loaded walks. The final run scored when Downing ground into a double play and made the score 7-2.

JJ Fahnlander drew a bases-loaded walk and Ryan Gross scored on a balk in the fifth to pull the Pirates within 7-4.

The Blues' Nakamura was hit by a pitch in the fifth with the bases loaded that scored Beck Maguire, increasing the lead to 8-4.

Whitworth rallied back in the sixth inning by loading the bases before walks by Brenden Duncan and Grayson O'Neil drove in a pair. A sacrifice fly from Sweum scored the final run of the rally.

Gage Gibson doubled to lead off the seventh, but Elliot Puttkammer-Saxen retired the next three batters to preserve the win and earn a save.

Brett Thomas (0-2) got the start for Whitworth, allowing seven runs on eight hits in four innings. Jake Briones allowed one run on three hits in two innings of relief.

Starter Billy Wall was the winning pitcher for Whitman, after allowing four runs on five hits in four innings.