SPOKANE, Wash. – Ending both games on the 'eight-run' rule by scoring runs in the bottom of the sixth innings, the Whitworth University Pirates swept a Northwest Conference softball doubleheader from the visiting George Fox University Bruins, 9-1 in the opener and 8-0 in the nightcap, Saturday afternoon here at Marks Field.

In the first game, the Pirates broke the game open early with three runs in the first and four in the second.  Caty Lieseke, who was 7-for-7 on the day and drove in six runs, had a run-scoring single in the first and a three-run triple in the second.

Shelby Briske homered down the left-field line in the fourth to get the Bruins on the board. It was her second of the season, but it was the only run the Bruins could produce all day.

Lieseke added her fifth RBI of the game in the Pirate fifth. The game ended on the 'eight-run' rule when Julia Johnson lofted a sacrifice fly in the sixth that scored Sami Parr.

Lieseke finished 3-3 with five RBIs in the opener, while Parr was 2-4 and scored twice, Kelsey Ayers was 2-3 and scored twice, and Johnson was 2-2 with three RBIs and two runs scored.  Kris Trindle had two of the Bruins' five hits.

Emily Anderson (6-4) pitched all six innings for Whitworth, allowing one run on five hits with two strikeouts and no walks.  Allyssa DenDekker (1-8) went 5.2 innings for GFU and gave up nine runs, eight earned, on 12 hits, striking out one and walking one.

In the second game, Whitworth pounded out a season-high 16 hits while Jessica Mangis (1-6) pitched her best game of the season.  She allowed only two hits and struck out one, and the Bruins could not capitalize on her six walks.  Erin Hento (7-8) allowed seven earned runs in 5.1 innings for the Bruins, striking out one and walking one.

Lieseke went 4-4 with a run scored and an RBI to finish her perfect day at the plate.  Makenzi Hope went 3-4, driving in a run and scoring a run, to help the Pirate cause. Eight different Whitworth batters had a run batted in during the game as Whitworth scored in five of the six innings.

With the twin wins, the Pirates improved to 10-12 overall and 8-6 in the NWC, while the Bruins fell to 8-18 overall and 2-12 in conference play.  The two teams will complete the Northwest Conference series with a second doubleheader on Sunday at 12:00 noon.