Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

George Fox University

Schedule

Scores

Baseball

GEORGE FOX 8-6, LEWIS & CLARK 0-1: Bruins Sweep Past Pioneers to Open NWC Play

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

by Jared Beilby, Student Intern

 

PORTLAND, Ore. – Senior Derek Dixon went 5-5 in the opener and hit a home run in both games as the George Fox University Bruins swept their Northwest Conference season-opening baseball doubleheader from the Lewis & Clark Pioneers by scores of 8-0 and 6-1 Saturday afternoon here at the Huston Sports Complex.

 

The Bruins (12-1, 2-0 NWC) won their ninth and tenth straight games with the pair of victories over the Pioneers (3-5, 0-2 NWC). This is the best start for the Bruins since the 2007 club opened 19-1 after winning 14 straight to open the season.

 

Game 1 – George Fox 8, at Lewis & Clark 0

 

In the opener, George Fox used a three-run third inning to start the scoring as senior Josh Rapacz hit a two-run single and Dixon added an RBI single. In the next inning, senior Danny Clifford hit a double and then sophomore Kadyn Nannini and junior Matthew Zeller both hit RBI singles to put the Bruins up 5-0. In the seventh, Dixon connected for a 3-run right-field blast that gave the Bruins an 8-0 lead.

 

Dixon just missed hitting for the cycle with three singles, a double and a home run in five at-bats. Rapacz, Nannini and sophomore Clay Mott added two hits each. Senior Clay Gartner (4-0) went the distance on the mound for the win, allowing six hits while striking out five. He did not walk a batter through the first eight innings. As a team, the Bruins out-hit the Pioneers 13-6.

 

Junior Ryan Strombom (0-2) was the losing pitcher for the Pioneers, giving up 12 hits and eight runs in seven innings work.

 

Game 2 – George Fox 6, at Lewis & Clark 1

 

For the second half of the twinbill, Dixon had help in the long-ball department as both Rapacz and Clifford hammered deep shots to give George Fox a total of four home runs in the two games.

 

After the Bruins scored a pair of runs in the second inning, Rapacz and Dixon opened the third by hitting back-to-back solo homers to make the score 4-0. Lewis & Clark managed to sneak a run in the bottom of the inning, ending a 13-inning scoreless streak that dated back to last year against George Fox. Clifford opened the fifth with a right-field four-bagger and Rapacz added an RBI single in the eighth for the 6-1 final.

 

Rapacz, Dixon, Clifford and Taylor Johnson all had two hits for the Bruins, who out-hit the Pioneers 11-7. For the season, Dixon has a .906 slugging percentage in 13 games, while Rapacz is currently hitting .519 after 13 games.

 

Junior Ian Buckles (3-0) tossed a complete game for the win while striking out eight and did not walk a batter.  Sophomore Aaron Landecker (1-2) pitched five innings on the rubber for the Pios and took the loss, allowing nine hits and five earned runs.

 

It was a clean fielding afternoon as both sides played errorless in the doubleheader's entire 18 innings.  George Fox has gone now 34 innings without an error.

 

NEXT: Lewis & Clark hosts George Fox in the third game of the three-game series at 12 p.m. Sunday in Portland. 

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Ian Buckles

#44 Ian Buckles

P
6' 0"
Junior
Danny Clifford

#13 Danny Clifford

3B
6' 0"
Senior
Clay Gartner

#11 Clay Gartner

P
6' 0"
Senior
Taylor Johnson

#18 Taylor Johnson

C
5' 9"
Junior
Clay Mott

#26 Clay Mott

IF
6' 0"
Senior
Kadyn Nannini

#5 Kadyn Nannini

OF
5' 8"
Senior
Josh Rapacz

#25 Josh Rapacz

C
6' 1"
Redshirt
Matthew Zeller

#7 Matthew Zeller

OF
5' 11"
Redshirt

Players Mentioned

Ian Buckles

#44 Ian Buckles

6' 0"
Junior
P
Danny Clifford

#13 Danny Clifford

6' 0"
Senior
3B
Clay Gartner

#11 Clay Gartner

6' 0"
Senior
P
Taylor Johnson

#18 Taylor Johnson

5' 9"
Junior
C
Clay Mott

#26 Clay Mott

6' 0"
Senior
IF
Kadyn Nannini

#5 Kadyn Nannini

5' 8"
Senior
OF
Josh Rapacz

#25 Josh Rapacz

6' 1"
Redshirt
C
Matthew Zeller

#7 Matthew Zeller

5' 11"
Redshirt
OF
George Fox University Logo