SPOKANE, Wash. – Whitworth was held off the scoreboard by visiting Pacific Lutheran in a Northwest Conference softball doubleheader on Sunday. The Lutes controlled game one 4-0 before a 10-0 five-inning win in game two.
The Pirates (5-29 overall, 5-19 NWC) honored nine players who played in their final game at Diana Marks Field prior to first pitch. PLU (23-13, 13-11 NWC) earned its second series sweep of the season. The Bucs will close the 2025 season with a series at Pacific on May 3rd and 4th.
Game 1: Pacific Lutheran 4, Whitworth 0
Rachael Rhinehart stifled a pair of Pirate rallies en route to a complete game shutout.
Back-to-back doubles in the first inning gave PLU an early one run lead. After two scoreless innings, the Lutes added another in the fourth after a stolen base and single to center.
Whitworth recorded just two hits heading into the sixth inning. Katie McKinnis led off the frame with the third Pirate hit and stole second to get into scoring position, but Pirates could not cut into the lead.
The PLU lead doubled in the top of the seventh after Brookelyn Gutierrez knocked a two-out two-run single into center field.
Camryn Sage led off the final frame and sparked a Whitworth rally with a single. Makena Hofford followed with a walk and a wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position. In the next two at-bats, the Pirates hit a ground ball to second and a runner was thrown out at the plate. Kendel Sage drew a walk to load the bases, but a strikeout ended the game.
Rhinehart (6-5) allowed four hits and struck out seven in seven innings.
Momi Lyman (3-16) allowed four runs (three earned) and struck out five in her final start at Diana Marks Field.
Game 2: Pacific Lutheran 10, Whitworth 0 (5 inn.)
The PLU bats broke out with ten runs behind a five-inning no hitter from Paige Wilson.
The Lutes plated a pair of runs in the second and third innings. Two RBI singles plated the first two before an RBI double and groundout put PLU up by four.
PLU poured on six runs in the fourth to break the game open. Simpliciano hit her second RBI single of the day and another RBI hit followed. Kamalani Doctor singled home two more with the bases loaded before a double and sacrifice fly gave the Lutes a 10-run lead.
Hofford (walk), McKinnis (hit by pitch), and Addie Johnson (fielder's choice) were the only Pirates to reach base.
Annie Brose made her first career start for the Pirates and allowed four runs with one strikeout in three innings. Reiss McIntyre allowed six runs and struck out one in the final two innings.
Wilson (10-5) struck out three in a five-inning no-hit effort.
