SPOKANE, Wash. - Whitworth College swept visiting Willamette University 8-2 and 8-0 in a Northwest Conference softball doubleheader on Saturday at Marks Field, setting a new school record for winning streak at 14 in a row.

The 8th-ranked Pirates improved to 27-3 overall and 22-0 in the NWC. The 14-game winning streak is one better than the previous record of 13 in a row set last season. The Bearcats fell to 17-14, 11-11.

Lacey Parry was 4 for 7 with a grand slam in the pair of contests, leading Whitworth at the plate. Jennifer Eckhoff pitched a two-hit shutout in the night cap. Molly Barnes was 3 for 5 to lead Willamette.

Parry hit a grand slam in the second inning

Game 1: Whitworth 8, Willamette 2 - Box score
Parry's grand slam highlighted a five-run second inning as the Pirates built a quick 6-1 lead.

After the teams each scored a run in the first, Heather Case got the Bucs going in the second with an RBI single. After Lacey Kerr was hit by a pitch to lead the bases, Parry drove a ball deep over the left field wall for the grand slam, her second home run of the season. All five runs were unearned after an error at second base allowed the inning to continue to Parry's at bat.

Barnes, who had singled home the Bearcats' first run, added an RBI single in the third to pull Willamette within 6-2.

But that was all the Bearcats would tally against Whitworth pitcher Jessie LaPlante, who improved to 16-0 with the win. She allowed seven hits while striking out six batters and walking none.

The Pirates scored on a ground out in the fourth and Lindsay Davis added an RBI single in the fifth inning for the final margin.

Nikki Franchi went the distance for Willamette, allowing only two earned runs on nine hits with six strikeouts and three walks. Her record fell to 9-6.

Eckhoff improved to 4-1with a two-hitter

Game 2: Whitworth 8, Willamette 0 (5 inn.) - Box score
Whitworth won when LaPlante, batting as the designated player, hit a one out home run down the left field line that drove home Amber Fowler in the bottom of the fifth. The game ended on the 8-run mercy rule.

LaPlante also got the Bucs on the board first with an RBI single in the second inning. Halley Cey followed with a two-run double that gave Whitworth a 3-0 lead after two innings.

Mogan Thomsen doubled home a run in the third for a 4-0 lead. Davis singled home Cey in the fourth and then Case doubled home pinch-runner Carrie Gibson for a 6-0 lead.

Eckhoff (4-1) was dominating in the circle, allowing a pair of singles while striking out four and walking none. No Bearcat was able to advance to second base.

Leighann Auer (5-6) went 4.1 innings for Willamette, allowing seven earned runs on 10 hits. She struck out four batters and walked three.

Up Next: The Pirates will complete the four game series against Willamette on Sunday with a double header scheduled for noon. Whitworth is one win away from tying the school record for overall wins in a season. The Pirates have set a new school record for conference wins with 22, after earning 21 victories in both 2006 and 2004.

Whitworth entered the day one half game ahead of Linfield (28-4, 19-1) in the NWC standings. But the Wildcats' doubleheader with third place Pacific (24-6, 16-4) was rained out. The two teams are scheduled to play another doubleheader on Sunday at Linfield.