First pitch was delayed for just over three hours and when play started, it was visiting Whitworth that came away with a 9-2 win over Pacific on Senior Day in Forest Grove.
The rainy conditions held up the start of the series finale between the two teams. However, the Boxers were still able to recognize its 14 seniors, who were playing in their final home game at Chuck Bafaro Stadium at the start of the day.
Pacific took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first after
Derek Legeza dropped a double just inside the foul line in left field line and
Dylan Wright walked to put runners on first and second. An error by the Pirates loaded the bases on a
Joey Galeno for
Derek Ridgway, who brought in Legeza from third on a sacrifice fly for the early lead.
A three-run third, sixth and eighth inning put the visitors ahead 9-1. The Pirates had 11 hits in the series finale including three from J.T. Phelan, who also had three RBI and two runs scored. Plus, Spencer Locati and Casey Ita each had two hits in the win.
Whitworth starting pitcher T.J. Orchard went seven innings, scattering four hits and striking out four en route to the win.
The Boxers got back on the scoreboard in the bottom of the eighth as Legeza scored his second run of the game. This time, he came around to score on a Galeno sacrifice fly.
Despite the loss, seniors
Cade Wilkins and
Dylan Wright each had two hits in their final home game. Senior
Paul Wolfram in his final home outing, allowed eight hits and struck out four in a loss. Also, seeing action on the mound were seniors
Tyler Brown and
Cole Kanazawa to wrap up the home portions of their career. In the starting lineup were seniors
Chandler Dean at designated hitter, Dante Fillippini at second base and
Luke Peevyhouse at catcher.
Dallas Chung came in as a pinch-hitter in the ninth.
The Boxers will next travel to Tacoma, Wash. to end the season with three games in two days. While in Tacoma, the Boxers will face Linfield on Saturday, Apr. 28 at 1 p.m. and Puget Sound at 4 p.m. Then, the Loggers again on Sunday, Apr. 29 at 4 p.m.