SPOKANE, Wash. – The Whitworth softball team will wrap up the 2025 season with a four-game Northwest Conference series at Pacific (Ore.) this weekend. Saturday's doubleheader will start at noon and Sunday's doubleheader is scheduled for 11:00 am.

Check the Whitworth softball schedule page for live links to this weekend's action.

The Pirates: Whitworth (5-29 overall, 5-19 NWC) was swept by Pacific Lutheran last weekend.

The Pirates fell 8-0 in game one and 4-2 in game two of Saturday's doubleheader. Six different Lutes recorded an RBI in game one and Paige Wilson allowed just one hit in a five-inning complete game. PLU put three runs on the board in each of the first two innings using a trio of doubles and RBI singles. Reagan Ellis recorded the only Whitworth hit of the game. The Pirate offense came alive with 11 hits in game two, but a four-run fifth inning lifted the Lutes to another win. The Bucs scored first with a run in the first and second inning. Camryn Sage hit an RBI single, and Katie McKinnis roped an RBI double down the line to put the Pirates up by two. After four scoreless innings from Teeghan Reams, PLU broke through with five straight hits, including a three-run home run, to take a 4-2 lead. Wilson entered the game for the Lutes and prevented a Pirate comeback.

On Sunday, Whitworth honored nine players who made their final appearance at Diana Marks field on senior day. The Pirates fell 4-0 in game one and were held to four hits. Whitworth had several chances to push a runner across the plate but could not break through. Momi Lyman struck out five batters in her final home start. PLU secured a series sweep with a 10-0 five-inning win in game two. Wilson threw a five-inning no-hitter in her second win of the weekend. Three Pirates reached base in the game. Annie Brose made her first career start for the Pirates and Reiss McIntyre pitched the final two frames.

The Opponents: Pacific is 5-25 overall and matches Whitworth with a 5-19 record in NWC play. The Boxers were swept by Willamette last weekend and carry a 12-game losing streak into this weekend. Pacific is ranked eighth in the conference in both batting (.201) and fielding (.933), while being ranked seventh in pitching with a 7.08 team ERA. Junior infielder Chloe Knepp leads the team at the plate with a .250 batting average and 10 RBIs. Sophomore Kiara Baba has a team-leading 6.88 ERA in 11 starts from the circle. Abby Surowiec and Peyton Davis have each made seven starts. Whitworth split its four-game series with the Boxers last season in Spokane.

NWC Standings: Linfield (21-3) leads the standings with one weekend to play. Lewis & Clark (19-5) sits in second with George Fox (17-7) trailing in third. Pacific Lutheran (13-11) holds the final NWC Tournament spot with Willamette (12-12) close behind. Pacific and Whitworth sit at 5-19 and Puget Sound (4-20) rounds out the standings.

Senior Leaders: The Pirate senior class has had major impact in all phases throughout the season. Taylor Hofheins has started all 34 games for the Pirates and is second on the team in RBIs (7). Reagan Ellis leads the team with a .264 batting average and pairs with Kennedy Robison for a dynamic middle infield. Katie McKinnis holds down third base and has a team-leading nine runs scored. Kelly Hruza has made 20 starts behind the plate. In the circle, Momi Lyman has started 18 games and has pitched nine complete games. Reiss McIntyre has struck out 36 hitters in 50 innings pitched.

Immediate Impact: The Pirates have 10 new faces on the 2025 roster, and many have had a big role this season. Junior transfer Teeghan Reams has made 15 appearances in the circle and has started 28 games in the designated player position. Freshman Kendel Sage has started all 34 games for the Pirates and leads the team with nine RBIs. First-years Camryn Sage and Addi Bale have each made at least 22 starts. 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 be back in action next spring.