SPOKANE, Wash. – The Whitworth University softball team split a pair of matchups with George Fox in a Northwest Conference Saturday doubleheader at Diana Marks Field. The Pirates battled to a 5-3 game one win before the Bruins won game two 6-0.
The Pirates (5-25 overall, 5-15 NWC) racked up double digit hits in game one before the Bruins (21-11 overall, 15-5 NWC) dominated in the circle in game two. Whitworth will be back at Marks Field next weekend to take on Pacific Lutheran.
Game 1: Whitworth 5, George Fox 3
Kendel Sage's two-run home run lifted the Pirates to a back-and-forth game one win.
The Bruins put the first run on the board with an RBI single in the top of the first. Whitworth answered and loaded the bases with a pair of hits and a hit-by-pitch. Teeghan Reams tied the game with a fielder's choice and Addi Bale followed with a single up the middle to give the Bucs a 2-1 lead.
Both teams were held scoreless until the fourth. With a pair of runners on, Makayla Noone singled to score the tying run. The Pirates punched back and retook the lead after a bases loaded fielder's choice off the bat of Katie McKinnis.
GFU tied the game in the sixth with a sacrifice fly. Kennedy Robison opened the bottom half of the inning with a base hit that brought the go-ahead run to the plate. Kendel Sage stepped up and hit a two-run home run to left field to give the Pirates a 5-3 lead, her second of the season.
Momi Lyman retired the first three hitters in the seventh to secure the win.
Sage, Katie McKinnis, Bale, and Robison each had a pair of hits to lead the Bucs at the plate.
Lyman (3-14) earned the win after allowing three runs on six hits with six strikeouts in a complete game effort.
Jordyn Relethford started for the Bruins and gave up two runs in an inning pitched. Allison Heater pitched four innings of relief and Nicole Ledendecker (7-4) took the loss after pitching the sixth.
Game 2: George Fox 6, Whitworth 0
Allison Heater's complete game shutout led the Bruins to a win.
GFU took a first inning lead with a home run from Kiley Harris. An RBI single later in the inning put another run on the board.
Sharon Tomei hit her third home run of the weekend in the second inning to put the Bruins up by three. A throwing error allowed another to cross in the third and a steal of home plate in the sixth stretched the GFU lead to six.
The Pirates walked four times through the first six innings but could not collect a hit until Makena Hofford broke up Heater's no-hitter with a line drive to left field with two outs in the seventh. A ground out ended any chance of a rally.
Reiss McIntyre (1-6) allowed five runs on six hits and struck out three in two innings for the Bucs. Reams pitched the final five innings and allowed one run with four strikeouts.
Heater (4-2) had one strikeout to go with her four walks and one hit in the full seven frames.
