REDLANDS, Calif. - Whitworth came within a game of tying the school record for winning streak, but instead came away with a split of a doubleheader at two-time defending SCIAC champion Redlands on Saturday afternoon.

LaPlante improved to 7-0 as a starting pitcher

Junior pitcher Jessie LaPlante improved to 7-0 this season by pitching a shutout in Whitworth's 2-0 victory in the opener. Redlands held off a late Pirate rally in the nightcap. Whitworth, ranked 19th, is 12-1 while the Bulldogs are 13-6.

Game 1: Whitworth 2, Redlands 0 - Box score
Jessie LaPlante went all seven innings, working out of a bases-loaded jam in the fourth inning, to earn her seventh win against no losses this season. She gave up six hits, struck out three and walked one.

Sara Rylaarsdam drove home both runs in the top of the seventh inning. Lacey Parry opened with a bunt single and went to second when Amber Fowler's sacrifice attempt was mishandled at third base. Both runners were sacrificed ahead one base before Rylaarsdam drove the ball to left field for the game winning hit.

After Redlands loaded the bases with one out in the fourth inning, LaPlante got back to back ground balls to third base. The first was thrown home for a fielder's choice and out at the plate. The second was recorded at third base for the final out of the inning.

Olivia Ellis pitched a complete game for Redlands, allowing only three hits. She struck out six Pirates, but couldn't prevent Whitworth from winning its first-ever game against the Bulldogs.

Game 2: Redlands 5, Whitworth 3 - Box score
Redlands built a 5-0 lead through six innings before the Pirates rallied in the seventh, but fell short. The Bulldogs were able to overcome eight errors for the win.

Jodi Schock scored on an error and Lacey Parry doubled home two runs to pull the Pirates within two runs with one out and two runners still on base. But Redlands pitcher Katie Brnca got Fowler to strike out and Sarah Froman to pop up for the final out.

Jennifer Eckhoff went the distance for the Pirates, allowing all five runs (three earned) on five hits. She walked four and struck out two. Redlands scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth, to gain insurance for the win.

Up Next: The Pirates will play 6th-ranked Chapman on Sunday at 1:00 pm in a match-up of top-20 teams at the SunWest Tournament in Orange, California.