After playing four games against two of the best NAIA programs in the nation, without the benefit of a single practice outside, Whitworth's baseball team heads to the warmer climate of Arizona for the four days and the chance to claim the first win of 2007.

The Pirates (0-4) suffered through the usual pains of playing outside for the first time (dropped balls, missed cuts, etc.) But they continued to play hard throughout the weekend in Lewiston, Idaho.

Whitworth lost 8-2 to Albertson (Idaho) and 9-2 to Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) on the first day. Junior Alex Scarpelli (3B, Spokane, Wash.) was 4 for 6 on the day with his first career home run. Brandon Zimmerman (Sr., RHP, Spokane, Wash.) pitched very well for six innings against defending NAIA champion LCSC, before tiring in the seventh.

On day two, Whitworth lost 7-2 to Albertson and 8-2 to the Warriors. J.J. Jones (Jr., OF, Moses Lake, Wash.) drove in both runs against the Coyotes in the first game. The Pirates managed just four hits in the second game against eight different LCSC pitchers.

This week Whitworth will take on three teams newly opening their seasons. On Thursday the Pirates will play Washington and Lee University (Va.) and Trinity University (Texas). On Friday the Bucs take on Hastings University (Neb.). The games will be played at the Oakland Athletics' spring training facility in Peoria, Arizona.

Washington and Lee competes in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (DIII) and finished 18-15-1 last season. The Generals are picked to finish sixth in this season's ODAC poll.

Trinity is 2-2 so far this season. The Tigers finished 34-13 last year, winning the Southern Collegiate Athletics Conference and advancing to the NCAA DIII Regionals.

Hastings, like Whitworth, is off to an 0-4 start against very difficult competition. Members of the NAIA Great Plains Athletic Conference, Hastings finished 21-28 last season.

On Saturday the teams will play one more game, based on the results of the head to head competition the prior two days.