Whitworth Takes Doubleheader from Willamette, 5-3 and 8-7

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

SPOKANE, Wash. -- Whitworth University rallied from a two-run deficit in the final inning to edge Willamette University, 8-7, in the second game of a doubleheader on Saturday, April 18 at Merkel Field. The Pirates also won the first game, 5-3. Whitworth advanced its record to 24-13, including 15-8 in the Northwest Conference, while Willamette fell to 20-15, 10-13 in the NWC.

The Pirates led 3-2 in the first game before scoring twice in the bottom of the seventh for a 5-2 advantage. Willamette scored one run in the top of the ninth.

In the second game, Whitworth scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to rally from a 7-5 deficit. The winning run was scored by Skyler Lookabill when Nick Motsinger walked with two outs and the bases loaded.

For Willamette in the second game, Tiras Koon (Sr., 1B, Honolulu, HI/Iolani School) hit a two-run homer in the third inning. It was his NWC-leading 11th home run of the season.

Whitworth scored the first two runs in the second inning of the opener. Joel Condreay and JT Phelan hit back-to-back singles. Thomas Waken followed with a two-run double to left. One out later, a walk and a sacrifice bunt put runners at second and third, but Joshua Davis flied out to left to end the threat.

The Bearcats pulled within 2-1 in the top of the fourth.

Gordie Clary (Jr., RF/RHP, Vacaville, CA/Vacaville HS) hit a leadoff double to left. He went to second on a sacrifice bunt by Austin Hagarty (Jr., 2B, Roseville, CA/Woodcreek HS). Brad Breier (Sr., C, Torrance, CA/South HS) put runners at the corners with an infield single. Clary scored on a single by Jordan Ramp (Sr., LF, Sherwood, OR/Sherwood HS/Saddleback College).

Mostinger belted a solo homer in the bottom of the fourth to give the Pirates a 3-1 lead. Willamette added a run in the fifth. Rolenn Himuro (Sr., CF, Honolulu, HI/Punahou School) singled, went to second on a base hit by Hunter Gallant (Sr., 3B, Rescue, CA/Ponderosa HS) and scored on a single by Hagarty.

Matthew Nelson extended Whitworth's advantage with a solo homer to center field with one out in the seventh. Jeremy Druffel followed with a double down the left field line. Druffel scored on a two-out single by Phelan for a 5-2 lead. Gallant doubled and scored on a single by Koon in the top of the ninth.

Both teams registered 12 hits. Gallant was 3 for 5 with a run for Willamette, while Ramp was 2 for 4 with an RBI. Himuro went 2 for 5 and scored once. Nelson, Condreay, Phelan and Wakem each earned two hits for the Pirates.

Dan Scheibe pitched the first six innings to improve to 8-2 for Whitworth. Willamette starter Peter Hoffman (Sr., RHP, Hayden, ID/Lake City HS) fell to 4-3 with the loss.

Whitworth led 2-0 after one inning in the second game. Motsinger doubled to start the bottom of the first and scored on a base hit by Druffel. Later in the inning, Druffel scored on a single to center by Nelson.

The Bearcats surged in front with three runs in the third. Nate Bush (Fr., INF, Boise, ID/Boise HS) doubled to right field, went to third on a sacrifice bunt by Mason Fessler (Fr., INF, Woodburn, OR/Blanchet Catholic School) and scored on an infield single by Himuro.

Gallant reached on a fielder's choice as Himuro was thrown out at second. Koon belted a two-run homer to right field.

Whitworth tied the score with a run in the bottom of the third, but the Bearcats regained the lead at 4-3 in the top of the fifth. Bush doubled to left center, went to third on a sacrifice bunt by Fessler and scored on a sacrifice fly by Himuro.

The Pirates claimed a 5-4 edge later in the fifth inning on five hits, including a leadoff triple by Motsinger, plus RBI singles by Druffel and Phelan. Willamette countered with three runs in the top of the seventh for a 7-5 lead. Fessler and Himuro smacked back-to-back doubled to produce the first run. Gallant and Koon each added an RBI double.

After Whitworth left two runners on base in the eighth, Himuro doubled to start the ninth. The Pirates recorded three consecutive outs to force Willamette to leave Himuro on base.

Davis and Nelson each singled to start the bottom of the ninth. An error allowed both runners to advance, and Lookabill hit a two-run single and advanced to second on the throw. Following a sacrifice bunt by Paul Miller, the Bearcats intentionally walked Wakem and Dalton Carter. Garrett Hughes struck out, but Motsinger walked to force in the winning run.

Druffel, Davis and Nelson each went 3 for 5. Druffel and Davis both scored twice, while Druffel achieved two RBIs. Motsinger was 2 for 5 with two runs and an RBI. Himuro went 3 for 3 and drove in three runs for Willamette. Koon was 3 for 5 with a run and three RBIs. Gallant finished 2 for 5, scored twice and earned an RBI.

Relief pitchers received the decisions in the second game. Tyler VonDracek threw the final 2 1/23 innings and improved to 2-0. Tyler Olson (Sr., RHP, Yuba City, CA/Yuba City HS) entered the game with one out in the ninth and dropped to 2-2 with the loss.

Willamette and Whitworth will complete the series with one game on Sunday, April 19. Game time is set for 12 p.m. (PDT).