By: Ryan Lackey

POMONA, Calif. --- George Fox University's softball team bounced back after a two game split yesterday with an impressive sweep over Pomona-Pitzer, Saturday afternoon.

Game 1

Shortstop Kayla Anderson turned in an impressive four-RBI game and starter Abbie Bergerson scattered six hits over five solid innings of work, as the Bruins took game one of a doubleheader from the Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens, 7-1. Besides her four RBIs, Anderson homered and scored two runs, and first baseman Amanda Woods also launched a round-tripper.

Woods's solo home run opened the scoring in the second inning, and the Bruins made it 3-0 in the third when Anderson blasted her two-run shot, bringing in Courtney Howard, who slapped a single to left.

Pomona-Pitzer gained one back in their half of the third with a pair of singles: Ashley Morello reached on a fielder's choice, went to second on Leah Bleichner's to right, and came around to score when three-htter Emily Rockhill's single found some outfield grass.

Unfazed, the Bruins hung three more runs in the fifth on Sagehens starter Eden Griffen, who took the loss, giving up six earned runs in four-and-a-third innings. After Julia Apodaca and Rebecca Pridmore both singled and, subsequently, stole second, Anderson grabbed her third and fourth RBIs with a smashing double. Woods promptly drove in Anderson with a frozen-rope single to make the score 6-1.

Though it proved unneeded, the Bruins added another insurance run in the top of the sixth, pushing across an unearned run on Sagehens reliever Bianca Cockrell. Bri Stutheit walked, went first-to-third on on substitute Baylee Westrick's single, and scored when shortstop Aryana Yee booted Apodaca's grounder.

Abbie Bergerson collected the win and improved her record to 2-0. Madison Sorenson gained a rather comfortable save, working two innings. Besides Anderson and Woods, Rebecca Pridmore turned in a good shift for the Bruins, going 1-3 with a sacrifice and a run scored. Aryana Yee was the only Sagehen with a pair of hits, both singles.

George Fox climbs back above .500 with the win, improving to 2-1 on the young season. Pomona-Pitzer drops to 3-5.

Game 2

Despite Pomona-Pitzer pushing across three runs in the first inning, the Bruins stormed back to sweep the doubleheader on Saturday afternoon, taking the second game 5-3.

The Sagehens started explosively, as Ashley Morella led off the first with a single, went to second on Leah Bleichner's sacrifice, and dashed home on a George Fox error. Sam Carlson had an easier trip around the bases, launching a deep homer to give Pomona-Pitzer a 3-0 lead after one.

The Bruins began chiseling away at the lead in the third. After two quick outs, Kayla Anderson singled and went around to third on Amanda Woods's base hit. Megan Furtado wore an inside pitch to load the bases, and Annie Veatch had an excellent at-bat, drawing a walk to force in Anderson and make the score 3-1.

Unsatisfied with one run, the Bruins tallied two more in the fourth. Kat Hylton worked a walk, and Rebecca Pridmore forced a walk of her own. Courtney Howard lined a hit to center to load the bases, and Anderson delivered, swatting an infield single that brought in two runs to tie the score 3-3. Amanda Woods nearly added more, but her blazing line drive was snagged for a fortuitous double play.

The Bruins finally took the lead for good in the sixth. Pridmore waited out another walk and dashed to second on Howard's sacrifice bunt. Anderson singled to put two runners on for Woods, who smashed another ball that, this time, found green grass for a two-RBI double. The score stood at 5-3, where it would finish.

Amanda Woods, who started for the Bruins on the rubber, lasted just two-and-two-thirds innings, but long reliever Madison Sorenson was stellar, giving up just three hits over four-and-a-third and recording two strikeouts. Woods, of course, made up for her three runs at the plate, driving in the winning runs.

Kayla Anderson was a perfect 4-4 at the plate and knocked in two runs. Howard added two hits, and Rebecca Pridmore has a solid offensive day despite going 0-1: she walked three times and scored twice.

Ashley Morella collected two hits for Pomona-Pitzer.

The Bruins now stand at 3-1 with the victory and will look to improve further when they take on Redlands tomorrow afternoon.