Box Score By: Katelyn McLean
Student Writer
FOREST GROVE, Ore.—For the second straight game Whitworth's late-inning rally fell just short as second-seed Pacific Lutheran used a four-run fifth inning for a 6-4 win over the Pirates in the first Northwest Conference baseball tournament elimination game at Pacific University.
The Pirates finish the season 16-25 overall. Pacific Lutheran (27-16 overall, 21-10 NWC) will play again today at 4pm against the loser of a game between Pacific and Willamette with the hope of qualifying for Saturday's championship round.
Jaxen Sweum got Whitworth on the board first with a solo-home run in the first inning, his team-leading 11th homer of the season.
The Lutes responded in the bottom of the first inning when Austin Gormley reached on a fielder's choice and Alex Boyd scored to tie the game 1-1.
Whitworth pitcher Austin Rice was in a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the first, but back-to-back diving catches by second baseman Ethan Rosario and centerfielder Aidan Morrison allowed only one run to score.
Pacific Lutheran pulled ahead in the fifth inning when Dominick Zombik singled to right field to drive in Cody Bentley and Gormley for a 3-1 lead. Boyd followed with single to right field to plate two more runs.
The Lutes added to their lead in the sixth inning when a Gormley single scored Jordan Haworth.
The Pirates rallied in the eighth when a Dawson Warner single scored both Jacob Doughty and Joe Howell to chip away at the Pacific Lutheran lead 6-3.
Whitworth was able to load the bases with one out in the ninth inning, but managed only one run when Gage Gibson scored on Aidson Morrison's ground out to first base.
Rice (1-5) was the losing pitcher, giving up six hits and five runs, as well as walking five batters in 4.2 innings pitched. Hunter Dryden pitched the last two innings and gave up only two hits and no runs. Dryden also recorded four strikeouts.
Cole Trotignon (9-2) was the winning pitcher, giving up seven hits and three runs in 7.1 innings. Trotignon struck out four batters in route to his eighth straight pitching win. Alex Gregory got out of the jam in the ninth to get a save.
