Box Score

By Ben Zimmerman

PARKLAND, Wash. -- Whitman continued its knack for mounting late-inning danger but fell just short in a Northwest Conference baseball game against Pacific Lutheran here Saturday.

The Missionaries rallied to load the bases with two outs in the top of the ninth before the Lutes escaped with a 4-1 victory. It marked the second time in as many games that Whitman (9-6, 1-3 in conference) pieced together a ninth-inning threat.

The Missionaries lost to the University of Puget Sound on the same field March 2 after bringing the go-ahead run to the plate in their final at-bat.

"We keep putting ourselves in a spot where one hitter can change a game for us," Whitman head coach Sean Kinney said. "But we need to do a better job in the early innings."

The Missionaries put early pressure on PLU pitchers, to no avail. Whitman had base runners at first and second with no outs in the top of the first and had runners at the corners, no outs, in the top of the second, yet found itself scoreless -- and trailing 2-0 -- entering the third.

"We came out and swung the bats real well. We had a couple great ABs," Kinney lamented. "Again, we're at a point where we have first and second and no outs, then first and third at no outs. Those are situations where you fell like you should at least get one (run). Not to get it was tough.

"I really thought we had an opportunity in the first and second," he added. "We've been able to string hits together all year. It was tough to see, but it is part of the process. We just need to keep taking good ABs."

Kyle Moyes was hit by a pitch leading off the top of the ninth for Whitman, which trailed 4-0. Moyes was still at first base two outs later when Maclean Harned legged out an infield single.

Kyle Buckham knocked home Moyes with a base hit to left, and Jimmy Madden walked to load the bases.

The Lutes recorded the final out to hang on.

The Whitman bullpen held its ground on Saturday and gave the Missionaries bats a chance. Sterling Spilinek and Will Thompson each pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings in relief of starter Brett Lambert (seven strikeouts, three earned runs). They allowed two hits apiece, with Thompson whiffing two PLU batters in mop-up.

"Our pitchers have really stepped up, especially over the last couple weekends," said Kinney. "They have really been keeping the ball down. Brett kept them off balance. Sterling and Will also both did a really good job coming in with runners on base. I have a lot of confidence putting them in tough situations."

Whitman has allowed four runs or fewer in four of its last seven games, and six runs or fewer in each of its last seven games.

The Missionaries had seven hits and coaxed six walks against the Lutes. Buckham was 2 for 5 and Moyes 1 for 2. Aaron Cohen, Paul Heywood, Chris Konolige and Harned each went 1 for 4, and Madden milked three walks.

Saturday's contest was the first game of a scheduled doubleheader, but Game 2 was postponed by rain. It will be made up as part of a doubleheader here Sunday.

The first game is slated for a 12 p.m. first pitch.