SPOKANE, WASH. – Whitworth pounded eleven hits in a 6-5 win on Sunday in the final game of a non-conference series against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps at Merkel Field.
Whitworth improved to 17-7 overall while CMS fell to 18-9 on the season. The Pirates return to conference play on Tuesday against Pacific Lutheran University in a single make-up game after it was postponed due to weather back in March. The first pitch is scheduled for 2PM at Merkel Field.
After being down early, a four-run third inning gave the Pirates a lead they never lost.
Andrew Mazzone gave CMS the early lead with a two-run home run to right field in the first inning, marking his 13th round tripper this season. With runners on first and second base, Jack Potter hit an RBI single to extend the Stags' lead.
Whitworth got on the board in the third inning. Aaron Clogston singled to left field but Jacob Doughty was able to score from second on the play after a fielding error by the left fielder. Shortly after, Aidan Morrison singled for an RBI and Elijah Tanner doubled for an RBI of his own. With runners on first and third base and two outs, the Pirates intentionally got caught in a rundown between first and second base to allow the runner from third base to score with ease, giving the Pirates a 4-3 lead after three innings of play.
In the fourth inning, the Bucs rallied for more two runs. Spencer Shipman led off the inning with a double down the left field line and Ty Quiggle followed with a single to the shortstop. Kevin Corder came up to execute a sacrifice bunt and advance both runners, Doughty was able to score Shipman on a sacrifice fly to left field and Quiggle later scored on a wild pitch.
Blaise Heher homered with two outs in the sixth inning to pull the Stags' within two runs. CMS picked up one more run after a Whitworth throwing error in the seventh, but never threatened in the remaining innings to tie up the game.
Quentin O'Conner (5-1) started for the Pirates on the mound and allowed four runs on seven hits in six innings, settling down after the shaky top of the first. Reliever Conner Ashworth allowed one unearned run in three innings of relief for the save.
The Stags' starting pitcher Bryant Smaaladen (1-2) pitched 3.1 innings and gave up six runs on eight hits. First out of the bullpen was Pieter Van Wingerden for 0.2 innings and Aaron Herst followed with four excellent innings of relief, giving up no runs on three hits.
