Whitworth Wins Extra-Inning Game to Sweep Doubleheader

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University rallied from a 5-2 deficit with three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning, but Whitworth University added two runs in the top of the 10th stanza and held off another Willamette rally to defeat the Bearcats, 7-6, in the second game of a Northwest Conference doubleheader on Saturday, April 21. Whitworth opened the doubleheader with an 8-1 win in the first game.

The Pirates improved to 22-13-1 overall, 15-5 in the NWC. Willamette fell to 11-21 overall, 7-13 in the NWC.

In the opener, Whitworth starter Dan Scheibe threw 131 pitches for a complete-game 2-hitter to lead the Pirates to the win. Sky Kelley (Jr., DH/RF, Portland, OR/Jesuit HS) of Willamette hit a solo homer in the second inning for the Bearcats. Tyler Pfeffer belted a 2-run homer for Whitworth in the fifth inning.

In the second game, Whitworth broke a 2-2 tie with three runs in the top of the eighth for a 5-2 lead, but Willamette scored three times in the bottom of the ninth to tie the score. Tommy Kawamura (So., SS, Renton, WA/Lindbergh HS), who drove in the first two runs with a double, scored the tying run on a sacrifice fly by Mitch Rowan (Jr., LF, Cotati, CA/Rancho Cotate HS).

Whitworth took a 7-5 lead with two runs in the top of the 10th. Gerhard Muelheims and Pfeffer each hit an RBI single during the inning.

The Bearcats got one run back in the bottom of the 10th when Kawamura drove in pinch-runner Bryan Afzali (Fr., OF, Manhattan Beach, CA/Mira Costa HS) with a double down the right field line. With two outs and runners at second and third, Whitworth pitcher Nick Scourey struck out Tyson Giza (Jr., CF, Salem, OR/Sprague HS) to end the game.