PASCO, Wash. - (From Blake Timm, Pacific SID) Four errors in each game by Pacific led to a pair of big Whitworth innings Saturday as the Boxers dropped both ends of a doubleheader with Whitworth in the Boxers’ Northwest Conference softball season opener at the Trade Recreation Agriculture Complex in Pasco.

A pair of errors in the first inning of the opener led to six Whitworth runs, while the Pirates held off a late Pacific rally for a 6-5 victory. In the nightcap, two errors in the third inning translated to four Whitworth runs to break the game open en route to a 7-2 Pirates’ victory.

The games were Pacific’s first for the 2007 season after seeing six games rained out to open the year. Pacific drops to 0-2 overall and 0-2 in conference, while Whitworth improves to 5-0, 2-0 NWC.

Game 1: Whitworth 6, Pacific 5 - Box score
The Pirates scored all six of their first game runs in the first inning, taking advantage of the nerves of the Boxers’ five freshman starters. Lacey Parry scored the first two with her single to right and Amber Fowler added one when her single scored Sarah Froman. The Boxers’ second error in the frame allowed Parry to score, while Jessie LaPlante and Heather Case scored two more on RBI singles.

After the fateful first, the Boxers allowed the Pirates only two more hits while the Pacific offense slowly climbed back into the game. Amy Walters put Pacific on the board in the second, scoring off Kristin Larkins single. A string of extra base hits in the third scored two more.

Pacific added two more on in the sixth on RBI singles by Larkins and Whittaker. The Boxers put two runners on in the seventh with a chance to win, but a fly ball by Walters to right ended the game.

LaPlante improved to 3-0 with the victory, allowing five runs on nine hits and striking out four in 6.1 innings. Miranda McNealy took the loss in her first collegiate start, allowing six runs, two earned, on five hits and five walks with two strikeouts in two innings. Andrea Bansen was solid in relief, allowing just two hits in five innings.

Game 2: Whitworth 7, Pacific 2 - Box score
Errors came back to bite the Boxers in the second game’s third inning as the Pirates plated four runs in the frame. After Morgan Thomsen opened scoring with a sacrifice fly, a fielding error brought home Lindsey Davis for a 2-0 lead. Lacey Parker followed with a long triple to right, scoring Amber Fowler. The ball was then misplayed coming back in from right, plating Parker for a 4-0 advantage.

Melodie Ratliff scored in the sixth on Heather Case’s double, and Case later scored on a Pacific throwing error. Whitworth added one in the fifth on Hailey Cey’s double.

The Boxers’ two runs came in the sixth. After reaching on an error, Whittaker scored on Croxford’s double. Croxford later scored on a sacrifice fly from Brittany Cuff.

Heather Ritenour took the loss in her first start for the Boxers, allowing six runs, three earned, on seven hits in four innings. Case earned her second victory of the season, allowing two runs, one earned, on four hits in six innings.

Caitlin Mastenbroek led the Pacific offense by going 5 for 8 on the afternoon. Case paced Whitworth offensively, going 4 for 7 with two runs and two RBIs.