By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director

SALEM, Ore. -- Whitworth University outscored Willamette University in all three doubles matches, then added wins in five of six singles matches, as the Pirates downed the Bearcats, 8-1, in a Northwest Conference men's tennis match at the Courthouse Tennis Center on Sunday, Feb. 28. The Pirates upped their record to 3-4 on the season, 3-2 in the NWC. Willamette fell to 1-3 overall and to 1-2 in the NWC.

Blake Brash (Sr., Boise, ID/Boise HS) picked up Willamette's lone victory at #3 singles with a strong match against Drew Adams. Brash won the match in a super tie-breaker played instead of a third set, 6-3, 4-6, 13-11. A super tie-breaker normally ends when one player reaches 10 points, but a two-point margin of victory is required. Brash finally won when he scored the next point after holding a 12-11 lead.

At #1 doubles, Whitworth's team of Drew Brigham Adams defeated Samuel Wexman (Sr., Tiburon, CA/Tamiscal HS) and Colin Yamaguchi (Sr./Jr., Clackamas, OR/Clackamas HS), 8-4. In the #2 doubles match, Caleb Hughes and Shane Sandlin won for the Pirates, 8-6, edging out Willamette players Aaron Schechter (Fr., Seattle, WA/James A. Garfield HS) and Derek Lund (So., Helena, MT/Capital HS).

Blake Miller and Layne Ryerson won #3 doubles for Whitworth over Brash and Douglas Hochmuth, 8-3.

The top singles match was won by Brigham over Schechter, 6-3, 6-2. In #2 singles, Miller outlasted Wexman in a close battle, 6-3, 7-5. Also winning in straight sets for Whitworth were Ryerson at #4 singles, Hughes at #5 singles and Ryan Adams at #6 singles.

Willamette will return to action on Sunday, March 6 at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon. Match time is slated for 12 p.m. (PST).