MILWAUKIE, Ore. -- Despite a career-high, 10-strikeout game from Lewis & Clark Pioneers starter Dominic Monozon and four more hits, the Pios were defeated 2-0 by the Whitworth Pirates on Saturday at Milwaukie High School.

Monozon gave up two hits, two runs and three walks to go with his double-digit strikeout total over six innings. Noah Ferruggia retired all nine batters he faced for three scoreless innings. The Pirates were limited to their lowest hit total of the season.

The Pioneers (1-5) stranded seven runners and had a multi-hit game from Michael Contreras and Sammy Benbow.

Follow the Lewis & Clark Pioneers on social media: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | #PiosBB | #RollPios | #chamPIOns 

Key Moments

Lewis & Clark had its best chances to score in the first, fourth and fifth. Contreras, who finished 2 for 4, singled and advanced to third on a single by Zack Kon in the first. Kon stole second, but was caught in a rundown afterward to end the inning.

The Pios loaded the bases in the fourth with one out. Whitworth made a play at home on a fielder's choice and Cole Petters flied out to left field. In the fifth, the Pios left two on base after singles by Sam Helms and Contreras. 

Meanwhile, Monozon (0-1) struck out a batter to start or end an inning in each of the first four and allowed just one run on a sacrifice fly through that stretch. In the fifth, Caleb Morton led off with a triple for the Pirates and scored on a wild pitch. Monozon recovered and struck out the next batter and forced two fly outs over the next three batters.

"Dom gave us another awesome outing, and Noah Ferruggia was really strong out of the pen," head coach Matt Kosderka said. "We're struggling a bit offensively, and that is something we are going to have to improve to take the next step. We had eight runners in scoring position and couldn't get any of them in or execute in other situations."  

Deeper Look

• Through its first six games, the Pioneers have the fourth-most at-bats (194) among Northwest Conference teams, but have produced the eighth-most runs (21)
• The Pioneers pitching staff has the fourth-highest strikeout total (33) in the NWC
• Petters had a hit, and Kon finished 2 for 4 from the plate
• Jack Thomson committed the Pios' only error
• Tyson Yamane (1-0) pitched seven innings for Whitworth (5-1), allowed five hits, three walks and stuck out seven
• Evan Norden (1) earned the save with one hit allowed

Looking Ahead

Lewis & Clark rounds out the weekend with a non-Northwest Conference game against Willamette on Sunday at Milwaukie High School.