SPOKANE, Wash. – Whitworth and visiting Pacific (Ore.) University split a Northwest Conference softball doubleheader on a cloudy Saturday at Diana Marks Field.
The Pirates (7-22 overall, 5-13 NWC) shut down the Boxers (11-17, 6-12 NWC) 5-1 in game one and looked on track for a similar result in game two, but Pacific stormed back to take game two 8-5.
The teams will battle for a series win in Sunday's doubleheader at 11:00 am.
Game 1: Whitworth 5, Pacific 1
The Pirates' spread-out offensive attack generated five runs to support pitcher Lina Schwippert, who shut down the Boxers with a season-high eight strikeouts.
Whitworth jumped out in front in the bottom of the first inning after Reagan Ellis singled home Kendel Sage. Pacific later tied the game 1-1 in the third with an RBI single off the bat of Jordan Ingram.
The Bucs responded in the third to retake the lead with Brynn Erdmann's sacrifice fly. After a clean top of the fourth inning, Megan Highfill hit an RBI single to put Whitworth up 3-1. Erdmann later followed with another RBI single to score Landri Nakano and a fielding error allowed Kendel Sage to score from first.
Pacific was able to put two runners in scoring position over the final two innings, but Schwippert ended both innings with a strikeout to secure her fourth win and seventh complete game of the season.
Kendel Sage led the Pirates at the plate with two hits, including a triple, and three runs scored. Erdmann tallied a sacrifice bunt and stolen base to go with her two RBIs.
Schwippert (4-8) struck out eight and allowed one run on six hits with one walk in a full seven innings.
Kiara Baba (3-5) took the loss for the Boxers after allowing five runs (four earned) on seven hits with two strikeouts in 3.2 innings. Karlie Espinoza pitched a scoreless final 2.1 innings. Libby Hardee led Pacific with two hits, both singles.
Game 2: Pacific 8, Whitworth 5
Whitworth held the Boxers scoreless until an eight-run sixth inning pushed Pacific to a win.
Both starting pitchers started strong in the circle as the Pirates totaled two hits and the Boxers had just one leading up to the fourth inning, when Whitworth broke through. Back-to-back singles opened the inning and a sacrifice bunt from Teeghan Reams moved both runners into scoring position. Two batters later, Camryn Sage came through with a two-run single to right center to break the tie.
Reams, who pitched the first five innings, had allowed two hits through five innings before Pacific did damage in the sixth. The Boxers strung together four hits to open the frame, resulting in two runs. A fielder's choice tied the game and two-run double from Ava Hlavacek gave Pacific a 5-3 lead. A fielding error with two outs allowed a run to score and the inning to continue, resulting in a pair of RBI base hits to push the Boxer advantage to 8-3.
The Pirates kept fighting and scored a run in each of the last two innings, but it wasn't enough. A fielder's choice off the bat of Lizzy Bradford pushed a run across in the sixth and Reams hit an RBI single in the seventh. Pacific's Peyton Davis closed the game with a flyout.
Camryn Sage went 2 for 3 with a walk and two runs batted in to lead Whitworth in the box. Erdmann added two hits, one a double.
Reams (1-6) took the loss after being responsible for four earned runs on six with three strikeouts in five innings pitched. Trinity Miller allowed four runs (one earned) in two innings of relief.
Alissa Hermansen (3-4) was credited with the win after pitching five innings with three runs (two earned) on six hits with two strikeouts. Davis allowed two runs, one earned, in the final two innings. Leadoff hitter Kayla Kodani tallied three hits and scored twice to lead the Boxers at the plate.
