SALEM, Ore. - Whitworth could only muster five hits and one run one day after posting one of the team's best offensive outputs of the season as the visiting Pirates were defeated 2-1 by Willamette to give the Bearcats a 2-1 edge in the Northwest Conference baseball series on Monday afternoon.
Whitworth (7-14, 5-7 NWC) trailed 2-0 in the eighth when Van Lierman doubled home Scott Ward, who had singled, for the Pirates' only run. Dan Ramsey singled with one out in the ninth, but he was stranded at first base. The offensive effort wasted a solid pitcher performance from starter Chad Flett, who allowed two runs on eight hits until he was relieved by Stephen Baranowski with one out in the eighth inning. Flett struck out four and walked one. Willamette (10-11, 4-7 NWC) scored both of its runs in the fourth inning. Each run came home on an infield hit. Four Bearcat hurlers combined on the five-hitter, but Jarrid Summers went the final six innings to earn the win. Willamette won its first NWC series of the season. Coming up: Whitworth will return home to host Whitman in a three game Northwest Conference series at Merkel Field. Both Saturday's double header and Sunday's single game are scheduled to start at Noon. Whitman is 3-16 overall this season and 1-8 in the NWC. The Pirates swept the Missionaries last season. |
