RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Whitworth couldn't hang on to a pair of early leads as NAIA opponent La Sierra came back to take both games of Monday's non-conference softball doubleheader.
The Pirates (2-12) fell 5-1 in game one before the Golden Eagles (6-19) stole game two 3-2 in walk off fashion.
Whitworth will close its five-game trip to California with a single game at Hope International on Tuesday at 2 pm in Fullerton.
Game 1: La Sierra 5, Whitworth 1
Hailey Marquez's two-out grand slam in the third inning lifted the Golden Eagles to a game one win.
The Pirates grabbed an early lead after Kendel Sage drew a leadoff walk and Raegen Hofheins' sacrifice bunt forced a throwing error that allowed Sage to score from first. Two singles and a hit-by-pitch loaded the bases later in the inning, but a strikeout and groundout limited the Whitworth lead to one.
Madison Sanchez appeared primed for another scoreless inning in the circle before La Seirra's two-out hitting gave them the lead in the third inning. A base hit, solen base and two-out RBI single tied the game. After loading the bases, Marquez followed with a grand slam to left field. Whitworth's Trinity Miller entered the circle and ended the inning with a strikeout.
The Pirates were unable to cut into the lead as La Sierra starter Hanna Dobbs held the Pirates to just three baserunners after the first inning.
Sanchez (1-4) pitched 2.2 innings and allowed five runs on six hits with three strikeouts. Miller pitched a scoreless 3.1 innings of relief with three strikeouts.
Dobbs (1-8) pitched a complete game in the circle and allowed four hits and one unearned run in the win. Mia Franco led the Golden Eagles at the plate with four hits.
Game 2: La Sierra 3, Whitworth 2
Pirate starting pitcher Lina Schwippert carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning before La Sierra rallied to a walk-off win in the seventh.
For the fourth consecutive contest, Whitworth plated a run in the first inning. In similar fashion to game one, Sage got on base with a double before Hoffheins laid down a sacrifice bunt. Reagan Ellis' infield single scored Sage from third. The Bucs added another in the third inning when an errant pickoff attempt allowed Aubrey Bauer to score.
Schwippert had only allowed two baserunners and tallied five strikeouts up until the sixth inning when the Golden Eagles broke through. A bases-loaded groundball was hit to second base, but the Bucs were unable to get the force out at home plate as the first La Sierra run scored. Schwippert generated two quick outs before walking in the tying run. A flyout ended the inning.
The Pirates were able to load the bases in the top of the seventh with two base hits and a hit batter. Golden Eagle game one starter, Dobbs, entered the circle in relief and generated two outs to prevent a go-ahead run from scoring.
La Sierra returned the favor in the bottom of the inning, loading the bases with a hit batter, walk and single. The game-winning run crossed home plate on a wild pitch.
Schwippert (1-4) took the loss despite a standout first five frames. She finished with three hits, three runs, four walks and six strikeouts in 6.0 innings. Makena Hofford and Ellis led the Bucs at the plate with two hits each.
Alexandra Aguilar made the start for the Golden Eagles and allowed two runs on seven hits with three strikeouts in 6.1 innings pitched. Dobbs (2-8) earned her second win of the day.
