SPOKANE, Wash. – The Whitworth softball team fell 9-1 to visiting Willamette in a Northwest Conference matchup on a rainy Saturday afternoon at Diana Marks Field. The third game of the series was pushed back to 3:00 pm and game four will be played on Sunday.

Pirates now are 1-8 overall and 1-6 in the NWC, while the Bearcats sit at 5-6 and grabbed their second NWC win (2-5)

Whitworth will play the final game of the series at 11:00 am on Sunday (weather permitting).  

Willamette threatened with a busy opening inning on the base paths. The Bearcats recorded four hits, but the Pirate defense held strong and did not allow a run to cross.

The game was delayed midway through the fourth inning.

Maris Pinheiro's sacrifice fly plated the first run of the game in the top of the fifth inning. The Bucs had a runner in scoring position in the bottom half, but a strikeout ended the chance to tie.

Willamette broke open the game in the sixth with eight runs scored on just two hits. After a bases loaded walk scored the second run of the inning, Mia Lund stretched the lead to seven with a grand slam to left field. Two more runs crossed after a walk and fielder's choice.

The Pirates needed two runs to extend the game, but they got just one. Katie McKinnis walked to start the inning and advanced to second after a sacrifice bunt. McKinnis then stole third and an errant throw allowed her to cross the plate. Reagan Ellis followed with a single, but two fly outs ended the game.

Momi Lyman (1-5) was credited with a loss after being responsible for five runs in five innings of work. Annie Brose made a relief appearance and allowed three runs. Teeghan Reams pitched the final inning.

Kenna Davis (3-2) pitched six innings and gave up one run on two hits in her second win of the weekend.