CLAREMONT, Calif. – Pomona-Pitzer edged Whitworth 3-2 with a run in the bottom of the ninth inning in the NCAA Division III baseball season opener for both teams on Friday afternoon at Alumni Field.

Caleb Millikan factored into the game-tying run and the winning run for the Sagehens.  He was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the seventh to tie the game 2-2.  Millikan scored the winning run from third base when Hunter Dryden's throw home from shortstop got away at the plate.  There were runners on first and third with no outs when the winning run scored and the Pirates were playing the infield in.

After Pomona-Pitzer took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second, Whitworth tied the game in the third when Dawson Warner singled home Jacob Doughty with two outs. 

Elijah Tanner manufactured the Pirates' second run in the fourth.  He drew a walk, stole two bases and then scored on a failed pick off attempt at first base. 

Freshman Giovanni Costello was impressive in his first start on the mound for the Bucs, allowing one run on four hits in five innings. He struck out five and walked two.  Riley Whelan and Hunter Williams followed in relief, before Dillon McCardle took the loss in the ninth.

Jake Hilton, an All-SCIAC honoree as a freshman in 2022, went five innings for Pomona-Pitzer.  He two runs (one earned) on two hits with nine strikeouts and four walks in five innings. 

The teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday, beginning at 11:00 am.