By: Cody Wright
SPOKANE, Wash. – The Whitworth University softball team returns to Diana Marks Field this week to host George Fox in a four-game Northwest Conference series. Games one and two will be played on Friday starting at noon before a doubleheader on Saturday at 11:00 am.
Check the Whitworth softball schedule page for live links to this weekend's action.
The Pirates: Whitworth (4-22 overall, 4-12 NWC) got back on track with three wins at Puget Sound last weekend.
The Pirates took game one 5-1 behind a complete game from Teeghan Reams and a season-high 12 hits. After a UPS solo home run in the third, the Bucs responded in the fifth with four runs to take the lead. The Loggers committed several errors in the inning that kept the line moving and allowed the first run across. Reagan Ellis bunted in a run and Reams hit a two-run single to cushion the lead. Katie McKinnis knocked in another run in the sixth with a single. Ellis went 3-4 at the plate and Reams allowed just one run on five hits with a season-high six strikeouts in seven innings. The Pirates edged UPS 1-0 in game two. Camryn Sage singled in the fifth and advanced to second after a bunt. A wild pitch and errant throw by the catcher allowed her to come around and score the only run of the game. Momi Lyman pitched a complete game shutout and struck out three to hold off the Loggers.
On Sunday, the Pirates won their third straight game with a 2-0 win. Both pitchers held their own as the game went into the seventh inning tied at zero. After a double from Reams, Taylor Hofheins smacked a home run over the left field wall to put the Bucs up by two. Reiss McIntyre was dominant in the circle and pitched the second shutout of the weekend. McIntyre struck out four batters and did not allow a hit over the final four frames. Whitworth was one out away from a four-game sweep, but UPS came back to win 3-2 in Sunday's game two. Camryn Sage drilled a two-out, two-run single in the fourth to give the Pirates a 2-1 lead. With two outs in the seventh, the Loggers hit four consecutive singles, the fourth being a walk-off two run hit. Ellis again had three hits and Addi Bale went 2-3 at the plate.
The Opponents: George Fox heads to Spokane with an 18-10 overall record and 12-4 conference record. The Bruins have played tough competition with seven non-conference games against top 20 teams. They have won 10 of their last 12 games and are coming off a four-game conference sweep of Willamette. GFU ranks fifth in the NWC in batting average (.304) but leads the conference in strikeouts (151). In the circle, the Bruins have a team ERA of 3.80, good for third in the NWC. Senior infielder Sharon Tomei leads the team at the plate with a league best .494 batting average and second-best home run total (10). Tomei was named this week's NWC Softball Position Player Student-Athlete of the week. Junior Jordyn Relethford and freshman Nicole Ledendecker each have a 3.81 ERA in 11 starts in the circle. Whitworth took three of four games against GFU last season in Newberg.
NWC Standings: Linfield (14-0) leads the conference standings with a perfect conference record. Lewis & Clark is second at 14-2 with George Fox in third at 12-4. Pacific Lutheran (5-7) holds fourth with Pacific (5-11) trailing. Willamette (4-10), Whitworth (4-12) and Puget Sound (2-14) are looking make a move up from the bottom of the standings.
Senior Leaders: A much-improved 2025 season will fall on the shoulders of the Whitworth senior class. Taylor Hofheins has started all 26 games for the Pirates and is second on the team in hits (16). Reagan Ellis leads the team with a .318 batting average and pairs with Kennedy Robison for a dynamic middle infield. Katie McKinnis holds down third base and has a team-leading seven runs scored. Kelly Hruza has made 15 starts behind the plate. In the circle, Momi Lyman has started 14 games and has pitched seven complete games. Reiss McIntyre has struck out 31 hitters in 44.2 innings pitched.
Immediate Impact: The Pirates have 10 new faces on the 2025 roster, and many could have a big role this season. Junior transfer Teeghan Reams has made 11 appearances in the circle and has started 22 games in the designated player position. Freshman Kendel Sage has started all 26 games for the Pirates and leads the team with seven RBIs. First-years Camryn Sage and Addi Bale each have at least 17 starts on the year. These Pirate newcomers will continue to show their ability to impact games and make winning plays throughout the season.
The Coach: Bob Castle is now in his sixth season as Whitworth's head coach after taking over the program in 2019. He served as an assistant on staff from 2015-2018 and was a part of three Northwest Conference titles. Castle earned his first winning season as head coach in 2022 with a 25-17 record and has guided the Pirates to three NWC tournament appearances.
Looking Ahead: The Pirates will be back at Diana Marks Field with a pair of doubleheaders against Pacific Lutheran on April 26th and 27th.
