LEWISTON, Idaho - Whitworth University improved its defense, but saw its bats fall silent in a pair of losses on Saturday at the Lewis-Clark State Regence BlueShield of Idaho tournament.

Whitworth lost the first game 7-0 to the host Warriors. The Pirates were held to only three hits by three LCSC pitchers. Collin Gibbs and Michael Cozad each pitched three innings for Whitworth. Gibbs allowed five runs on seven hits, while Cozad allowed two runs on three hits. The Pirates did not commit an error in the game.

Whitworth jumped ahead of NAIA Mayville State 2-0 and 3-2 in the nightcap, but Mayville rallied with two runs in the top of the ninth to win 5-3. Dan Ramsey singled home Jon Whiteside for the Bucs' first run in the third, then Ramsey came around to score on Matt Oye's single. After Mayville State tied the game in the fifth, Whitworth went back ahead on Billy Rigsby's first home run of the year. Chad Flett started on the mound for the Pirates and went 6.0 innings with two runs allowed on four hits. Brent Flyberg was credited with the loss after 2.1 innings of relief.

Whitworth is scheduled to open Northwest Conference play at home with a four game series against Puget Sound on March 1-2. With several inches of snow still on the ground at Merkel Field, the location of the games may be moved off site.