Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score

FOREST GROVE – Strong pitching made the difference for Pacific and Whitworth in their doubleheader Saturday as both teams received complete game wins to split their Northwest Conference baseball games at Chuck Bafaro Stadium.

Pacific's Rob Dittrick (So., Mililani, Hawaii) threw his fourth complete game of the season, allowing just four hits to earn his eighth win as the Boxers took the opener 2-0. It was Whitworth's Eric Anderson going the distance in the nightcap, throwing a three-hitter to give the Pirates an 8-2 win.

With the victory, Dittrick improved to 8-2 on the season to become the winningest single season winner for the Boxers in 43 years. He tied Larry Lund (1968) for second on the Boxers' single season list by allowing just four hits and one walk to go along with three strikeouts. Dittrick allowed just two runners past first base and saw his only runner on third in the eighth inning.

Jared Van Hoon (Jr., Lake Oswego, Ore.) had three of the Boxers' nine hits, all in the first game, on the day that Pacific (20-12-1, 13-7 NWC) once again found offense to be at a premium. Kevin Schwartz (Jr., Milwaukie, Ore.) and Mike Nagamine (Jr., Aiea, Hawaii) each had two hits. Tyler Pfeffer and Gerhard Muelheims each had four hits for the Pirates (16-17, 9-8 NWC). Pfeffer had two hits in both games, while Muelheims had four hits and four runs in the second game.

Pacific parlayed a hit and an error into the winning run in the opener. Michael Arakaki (So., Hilo, Hawaii) was hit by a pitch to lead off the third, stole second and advanced to third on Van Hoon's single to right. The Pirates then had Van Hoon hung up in a rundown, but Whitworth shortstop Nathan Johnson dropped the ball on the tag attempt, allowing Arakaki to score.

The Boxers added an insurance run in the eighth. Schwartz led off the inning with a walk, was sacrificed to second and then scored on a single to right by Nagamine.

Whitworth had their first scoring threat in the third when Michael Takemura reached on fielder's choice and Johnson followed with a single to right. Dittrick ended the inning by coaxing Muelheims into a double play. The Pirates had the potential tying run on in the eighth when Nick Ashley reached on a bunt single that went halfway up the left field line, and advanced to second when Dittrick threw the ball past the first base bag. Ashley advanced to third on a ground out before a diving snag by third baseman Arakaki stole a hit from Takemura to close the frame.

Liam O'Brien took the loss for Whitworth, falling to 1-3 by allowing two runs, one earned, on six hits with two walks and two strikeouts in 7.1 innings of work.

In the second game, Whitworth got to Pacific starter Jason Sawyer (Fr., Scappoose, Ore.) early with four singles through the infield in the first inning. Muelheims led off the game with a single through the left side and eventually scored when J.R. Jarrell rolled one through the middle with two outs. Muelheims and Kevin Valerio led off with singles in the third inning. Muelheims scored on Landon Scott's double, while Valerio scored on a Jarrell groundout to make it a 3-0 game.

Pacific turned their first hit of the game into a run in the fourth when Schwartz led off with a single and later scored on Nagamine's sacrifice fly. Whitworth then scored two runs in the sixth against reliever Dustin Christensen (Fr., Riverton, Utah). Takemura led off with a walk, Muelheims singled to right and both runners advanced on a fielding error that allowed Valerio aboard. Takemura scored on a balk and Muelheims plated on a sacrifice fly by Scott.

Whitworth added three in the eighth against a trio of Pacific relievers. Muelheims led off with his fourth hit of the game and scored on a long single to left by Scott. Jarrell followed with a single and Ashley singled two batters later to score Scott. Jarrell came home on a single by Takemura.

The Boxers added their second run in the ninth. Van Hoon was hit by a pitch with one out, advanced to second on a single by Schwartz and scored on a single by Nagamine.

Anderson was solid in his complete game effort to improve to 3-2 on the season. He allowed the two runs on three hits, did not allow a walk and struck out two. Sawyer dropped to 3-4 with the loss, allowing three runs on eight hits with a walk and four strikeouts in 3.1 innings of work.

The two teams will conclude their three-game series in the home finale for the Boxers on Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for noon. Three Pacific seniors playing in their final home game will be honored prior to the contest.