College softball: Whitworth ends Tufts’ 53-game winning streak

Madi Perez threw a six-hitter Saturday as Whitworth ended three-time defending national champion Tufts University’s 53-game winning streak with a 6-0 triumph at The Spring Games in Clermont, Florida.

The Jumbos, who were opening their season, finished 51-0 last season while winning their third consecutive Division III softball championship.

Perez (4-3) struck out five and walked none while outpitching Erica County, who went 15-0 last season.

Morgan Portlock started and capped a six-run second inning for the Pirates (12-3). Portlock and Tessa Matthews started the inning with back-to-back doubles. Portlock added a two-run single to end the outburst.

Michelle Silva had an RBI single during the inning and scored on Shannon Wessel’s triple to right field.

The Pirates’ second game of the day, against Wisconsin-Whitewater, was rained out and will not be made up.

(7) Oregon 7, (8) Washington 2: Freshman Megan Kleist (9-2) pitched four innings of shutout relief and Geri Ann Glasco hit a three-run homer in the fifth as the Ducks (21-4) defeated the Huskies (19-4) during a Pac-12 Conference opener in Seattle.

North Idaho 11-5, Treasure Valley 6-4: Katie Barron (7-1) pitched a complete-game four-hitter in the opener and won the second game with two innings of hitless relief as the Cardinals (10-2, 4-0) swept the Chukars (5-11, 2-2) in Northwest Athletic Conference play at Ontario, Oregon.

Nicole Miller and Jamie Yurick (Lake City High) had three RBIs apiece for the Cardinals in the opener. Barron added three hits, including a homer.

NIC’s Abby Howard (Coeur d’Alene High) went 3 for 3, with a double and homer, in the second game.