Pirates Power Past Pios in Series Opener

by Mak Karge, Sports Information Assistant

PORTLAND, Ore. - The Whitworth University baseball team (18-11, 15-4 NWC) was able to pick up a win at Lewis and Clark (9-23, 4-15 NWC) in Portland, Oregon before the teams' second game was rained out and pushed to Sunday.

Because of the severe weather, tomorrow's games will be played as a doubleheader, starting at 11am.

The Pirates started strong, getting out to a 5-0 lead by the top of the third inning. Jaxsen Sweum started things off with a two-run homer to left before RBI singles from Casey Isa, Joe Howell, and Liam Fitzpatrick widened the lead out to five.  

Lewis & Clark wasn't done and fought hard in the bottom of the fifth, scoring three runs. Austin Rice walked Jacob Serafini with the bases loaded, giving the Pioneers their first run. Rice then balked, allowing the loaded bases to rotate once again. After the balk, Cooper Larson struck out swinging, but while the Pirates were busy throwing Larson out at first Matt Donovan dashed home from third to give the Pioneers their third run.

The Pirates put up three more runs in the ninth to widen their lead and the Pioneers added one of their own for a final score of 8-4.

Sweum provided a burst of energy for the Whitworth offense, going 3-5 with two doubles, a home run, three RBIs, and three runs. Justin Katona was the only Pioneer with three hits (3-4) and was caught stealing. The Pirates had two errors while the Pioneers had five.

Rice (5-1) picked up the win for the Pirates, pitching five innings and striking out eight Lewis and Clark batters. Matthew Pulliam earned the save, his second of the season.

Jordan Gonzalez (1-6) took the loss for Lewis and Clark, pitching just three innings in his start.

The Pirates are back in action on Sunday when their doubleheader with the Pioneers begins at 11 a.m.