NEWBERG, Ore. -- The Lewis & Clark Pioneers battled throughout their elimination game match-up with the Whitworth Pirates during Friday's second day of the Northwest Conference Championship tournament.

Allowing four runs in the first inning to the fourth-seeded Pirates, Lewis & Clark scored in each the second and third inning. Ultimately a five-run, sixth inning sealed the game as the Pios lost 12-3.

The tournament's No. 3 seed, the loss ends the Pioneers most successful season since 1990 and first-ever NWC tournament berth. Lewis & Clark finishes the year with a 17-15 record.

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Key Moments

Following Whitworth's four runs in the first inning, Samantha Gildersleeve singled to lead off the second inning, and with two outs, advanced on a wild pitch. In her last-ever game with the Pios, Hannah Urbach hit an RBI single to score Gildersleeve and narrow the margin.

In the third, Mari Alvarez hit a one-out double down the left-field line, and Braylin Jenson singled to score Alvarez. On a fielding error, Sydney Cross reached and Jenson scored from second, and Lewis & Clark trailed 5-3.

Whitworth added two runs in the fourth and five in the sixth. The Pirates totaled 17 hits, the most allowed by the Pioneers this season.

Pios starter Alyssa Abe left the game after 2/3 innings and four runs on five hits. Jane Wilson pitched the bulk of the game, going 3 2/3 innings and gave up three runs on seven hits. Cassidy Crusberg threw the final 1 2/3 innings and allowed five runs on five hits.

Deeper Look

• Alyssa Hoeke had a pinch-hit base knock and was the fifth Pios batter with a hit in the game
• Olivia Brackin, Cross and Urbach combined for a double play
• Sierra Gundersen and Gildersleeve each drew a walk
• Whitworth's Melanie Laronde threw a complete-game and allowed three runs on five hits
• The Pirates advanced to another elimination game on Friday night and lost to George Fox, 9-6