By: Cody Wright
SPOKANE, Wash. – The Whitworth University softball team will play its first games at Diana Marks Field this weekend. The Pirates will host Willamette in a four-game series starting with a doubleheader on Friday at noon before Saturday's doubleheader at 11:00 am.
Check the Whitworth softball schedule page for live links to this weekend's action.
The Pirates: Whitworth, now 0-6 overall and 0-4 in the Northwest Conference, was swept by Linfield to open Northwest Conference play last weekend.
In game one, the Pirates mustered just one hit in a 5-0 loss. Wildcat Tyler McNeley pitched a complete game shutout and a two-run home run in the sixth inning stretched the Linfield lead. Momi Lyman made her third start for Whitworth on the season and held the Wildcats to their lowest run total of the series. Linfield broke open game two with an 11-run first inning. The Pirates again were held off the scoreboard in a 15-0 five-inning loss.
Game three of the series played out in similar fashion as game one, as Whitworth fell 10-0 in five innings and recorded three hits. Taylor Hofheins recorded two of the Pirate singles. The Whitworth offense put up its first runs of the series in game two on the day. After an early 8-0 Linfield lead, the Pirates got two runners on base and Hoffheins hit an RBI single to right field. Kendel Sage's infield hit pushed another run across with the bases loaded. The Wildcats were able to score two runs in the bottom of the fifth to end the game with a 10-2 score.
The Opponent: Willamette visits Spokane with a 3-5 overall record and 0-4 conference record after being swept by Lewis & Clark last weekend.
The Bearcats hit the ball well and are a strong defensive team. Their .371 team batting average ranks fourth in the NWC and .956 fielding percentage is second. Willamette has not been as strong in the circle as its team ERA of 5.32 is second highest in the conference and 69 hits allowed lead the league. Junior outfielder Emma Elliott, a 2025 first team All-NWC honoree, leads the team in at bats (24) and has a .417 batting average in eight games started. Sophomore Maris Pinheiro's .526 batting average ranks third in the conference. Senior Kenna Davis leads the Bearcats in the circle with a 3.50 ERA in four starts. Whitworth split the season series with Willamette last season in Salem. The Pirates have a 15-2 home record against the Bearcats since 2012.
Senior Leaders: A much-improved 2025 season will fall on the shoulders of the Whitworth senior class. Taylor Hofheins leads the team with five hits and has started all six games for the Pirates. Reagan Ellis and Kennedy Robison combine for a dynamic middle infield while Katie McKinnis holds down third base and has hit leadoff in four of six games. Kelly Hruza has the lone extra base hit for the Pirates this season. In the circle, Momi Lyman leads the team with a 4.81 ERA in three starts. Reiss McIntyre has made two starts and recorded five strikeouts in eight innings.
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 three appearances in the circle (one start) and has started five games in the designated player position. Freshman Kendel Sage has started all six games for the Pirates and leads the team with two RBI's. First-years Camryn Sage, Natalie Singer and Addi Bale each have at least four appearances on the young season. 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 make a trip to California to play four doubleheaders against Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference opponents. The Bucs visit Pomona-Pitzer on March 21st, Redlands on March 22nd, California Lutheran on March 23rd and La Verne on March 24th.
