SPOKANE, WASH – Whitworth split in a Northwest conference doubleheader on Saturday against Willamette University at Paul Merkel Field. The Pirates dropped game one 6-2, and then flipped the script on the Bearcats with a 6-2 win in game two.
The Pirates (13-4, 4-3 NWC) Willamette (15-3, 8-3 NWC) will play the rubber match on Sunday with the first pitch at noon.
Game 1 - Whitworth 2, Willamette 6
An impressive seven inning outing from Willamette's starting pitcher Layton Wagner aided in the Bearcats' 6-2 victory.
Willamette's offense got things started in the second inning after Luke Piazza hit a three-run homerun to right field. The Bearcats increased their lead to 4-0 after Rocco Granucci's solo home run in the third inning.
In the fifth inning, Granucci recorded his second RBI of the game on a sacrifice fly out, and helped Willamette extend their lead. The Pirates offense pushed their first run across after Reed Gunnett drew a bases loaded walk. Willamette's Wagner suppressed the Pirates bases loaded opportunity by only allowing the single run, Bearcats lead 5-1 after five innings of play.
Clint Walker's RBI single to right field in the top half of the eighth inning extended Willamettes lead. Henry Zaske recorded an RBI on a bases loaded walk in the bottom half of the inning, but the Bucs were unable to capitalize any more on their opportunity, and the Pirates lost 6-2.
Whitworth starting pitcher Hunter Dryden (4-1) allowed four earned runs in seven innings of work. Reliever Dylan Huntsman pitched two innings and allowed just one run on two hits.
Wagner (4-1) dominated for seven innings, while only allowing one run and striking out seven batters. Samuel Daly pitched two innings of one-run relief while striking out five Whitworth hitters.
Game 2 – Whitworth 6, Willamette 2
Jack Leary controlled the Willamette lineup through 6.2 innings to help the Pirates defeat the Bearcats.
Henry Zaske & Ty Quiggle hit back-to-back RBI singles in the first inning to give Whitworth an early 2-0 lead.
In the fifth inning, Pirates' Elijah Tanner doubled down the left field line for two RBI's.
Willamette scored their only two runs of the game in the seventh inning after Adam Birt and Carter Stoltz both recorded ground out RBIs.
Aaron Clogston hit a two RBI single in the eighth inning to help the Bucs' grab game two of the series, 6-2.
Jack Leary (3-0) pitched an impressive 6.2 innings of work while giving up just two runs and fanning 6 batters. Hunter Williams (2 Sv.) dominated in the final 2.1 innings, allowing just two hits in his scoreless outing.
Bearcats' starting pitcher Steven Verespey allowed four runs on nine hits through six innings. Pruitt Spritzer pitched five outs of relief for and allowed two runs and five hits.
