SPOKANE, Wash. - Rallying for seven runs in the top of the ninth inning, visiting Whitman came from behind for a 9-5 win over Whitworth in the finale of a three game Northwest Conference baseball series on Sunday afternoon at Merkel Field. The win allowed the Missionaries (4-19 overall, 2-10 NWC) to avoid a sweep at the hands of the Pirates (9-15, 7-8)

Complete box score.

Tampien hit his third home run of the season

Whitworth took an early 2-0 lead with single tallies in the second and third innings. Joel Tampien hit his third home run of the season in the second and Alex Scarpelli doubled home a run in the third.

The Pirates gained a pair of unearned runs in the fourth, one scoring on a squeeze play and another on an error at short stop.

Meanwhile, Whitworth starting pitcher Brandon Zimmerman allowed only two singles through six innings. In the seventh Whitman got a pair of singles and Luke Marshall scored on a passed ball.

The Pirates extended the lead back to four in the bottom of the seventh on a sacrifice fly by Dan Ramsey.

Zimmerman did not come out to pitch the eighth inning and Whitman began its comeback against the Pirates' bullpen. The first run came home in the eighth inning on a squeeze bunt by Adam Knappe.

The major part of Whitman's ninth inning rally came with two outs. The Missionaries scored on a balk and an RBI single by pinch hitter Jason Sease to pull within 5-4. With the bases loaded and two out, Knappe reached on a throwing error by Whitworth's short stop, allowing the tying run to score and the inning to continue. Luke Marshall and Austin Shackelford followed with two-RBI singles to complete the rally.

Both Marshall and Shackelford finished with a pair of hits and RBIs each to lead Whitman offensively. Pat Johnston went the distance to pick up his first pitching victory of the season. He allowed five runs (three earned) on nine hits with three strikeouts and two walks.

Ryne Webb was 3 for 4 and Scarpelli finished with two hits for the Pirates.

Whitworth will head to California next weekend for a non-conference series at Occidental. The Pirates and Tigers will play a single game on Friday and a doubleheader on Saturday.