PORTLAND, Ore. – Visiting Whitworth wrapped up the first weekend of Northwest Conference action with a pair of losses to Lewis & Clark College in a softball doubleheader on Sunday at Huston Sports Complex.
The Pirates fell to 0-10 overall (0-4 NWC) and will look for their first win of the season in next weekend's home-opening series against George Fox.
Game 1: Lewis & Clark 7, Whitworth 2
The Pirates collected a season-high eight hits but couldn't overcome the River Otters' (5-5, 4-0 NWC) five-run third inning.
Starting pitcher Madison Sanchez shut down the Lewis & Clark lineup the first time through the order, but Lewis & Clark broke through in the third inning.
Kodie Ancheta continued her impressive series at the plate with an RBI triple to break the tie. A wild pitch scored the second run of the game before Harper Campanella hit a solo run to push the advantage to three. Makena Dahir followed with two-run homer that put the Otts up 5-0.
Whitworth got a run back in the fourth after Teeghan Reams crushed the first pirate homer of the season to left field. L&C responded with two runs of its own in the bottom of half of the inning following an error and RBI single.
The Pirates kept swinging and added a run on three hits in the final half inning. After singles from Tessa Hahn and Kendel Sage, Brynn Erdmann's infield hit pushed a run across.
Sanchez (0-3) finished with five runs allowed and two strikeouts in 2.2 innings pitched. Trinity Miller allowed two runs in 3.1 innings of relief. Raegan Ellis went 2-3 and recorded her fifth hit of the series to lead the Bucs at the plate. Six other players recorded one hit.
Maggie O'Leary (3-2) earned her second win of the weekend after allowing one run on three hits in four innings in the circle. Ryan Jurischk was credited with a save after three innings of relief.
Game 2: Lewis & Clark 5, Whitworth 0
The River Otters scored three early runs and held the Pirates to just one hit.
Lewis & Clark took an early lead with an RBI single in the bottom of the first inning. Back-to-back extra base hits scored two more as the Otts grabbed a quick 3-0 lead.
Whitworth loaded the bases in the second inning with a pair of walks and a single up the middle from Hahn, but a strikeout ended the Pirate threat.
A double steal in the bottom of the second plated the fourth River Otter run.
Following the first two innings, Whitworth starter Lina Schwippert settled in and allowed just one run the remainder of the game. The one run came in the fifth inning on Ancheta's RBI double. Despite just one hit in the game, the Bucs were patient at the plate and drew five walks but were unable to convert opportunities into runs.
Schwippert (0-3) finished with four earned runs allowed and four strikeouts in a full six innings of work from the circle.
Sammy Santa Ana (2-0) secured her second win of the series, allowing one hit and striking out six in five innings. Charlize Pope pitched the final two innings.
