SPOKANE, Washington – Michael Warnick was sharp and the top of the Loggers' lineup did some damage as the Puget Sound baseball team split a doubleheader at Whitworth Sunday afternoon. Puget Sound recorded at least 10 hits in each game Sunday, and the Loggers now have double-digit hits in seven of their last eight games.

Puget Sound  6, Whitworth 5

Michael Warnick allowed just two earned runs in 7.2 innings, struck out eight, and improved to 5-1 on the season as the Loggers (13-11, 7-7 NWC) held on for a 6-5 win over the Pirates (12-13, 7-7 NWC).

The first four batters in Puget Sound's lineup each finished with two hits, and combined to go 8-for-19 at the plate. Jack Gries went 2-for-5 and scored three times, while Nick Ultsch went 2-for-5 and drove in three runs.

The Loggers got on the board in the first inning after Gries led off with a double, advanced to third on a Kyle Strash single, and scored on a base hit by Ultsch. Ricardo Barraza then reached on a fielder's choice that allowed Strash to score and give the Loggers a 2-0 edge. 

Whitworth struck for two runs in the third inning, but Puget Sound got those two runs back in the fifth. After Gries reached on an error and Strash drew a walk, Ultsch ripped a two-run double down the left-field line.

Whitworth briefly claimed a one-run lead, 5-4, in the bottom of the fifth inning. However, an RBI triple by Gries in the sixth inning followed by an RBI from Strash gave the Loggers a 6-5 lead that they held on to for good. 

Dakota Marley locked down his second save of the season.

Puget Sound 6, Whitworth 15

Jack Gries continued to swing a hot bat, but the Pirates' 9-1 lead through two innings was too much to overcome.

Gries finished 3-for-5 with a run, an RBI, and a double. Jack Golbranson finished 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles and two runs scored for the Loggers. Nolan Wiler also knocked in a run and went 2-for-4 at the plate. 

The Loggers host a game against Lewis & Clark, Tuesday, March 27, at 3:30 p.m.

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