Thomas Wakem’s three-run homer highlights Whitworth’s ninth-inning rally

Thomas Wakem’s three-run home run was the major blow in a four-run ninth inning and the Whitworth Pirates (20-8, 11-4) rallied for their 10th win in a row with a 10-6 victory over the Lewis & Clark Pioneers in a nonconference baseball game on Monday in Portland, Oregon.

The Pirates completed a three-game Northwest Conference sweep of the Pioneers over the weekend.

Whitworth’s ninth-inning rally began with three straight walks to load the bases. Wakem’s blast followed a sacrifice fly by Matthew Nelson.

Reliever Carson Blumenthal, who got the final out of the eighth inning and pitched a shutdown ninth, picked up the win to run his record to 3-0.

Awards

Gonzaga Bulldogs outfielder Sam Brown was named the West Coast Conference baseball player of the week.

Brown batted .533 in four games last week, including a .667 average over the final three games from the leadoff spot against Loyola Marymount. He had a .733 on-base percentage and an .833 slugging percentage.