Photo Taken By: Tim Yarnell 

By: Ryan Lackey and Danny Cross

NEWBERG, Ore. --- The Bruins kicked off their 2016 Northwest Conference schedule with a resounding 11-3 home win in game one and a 9-2 victory in game two over Pacific University on Saturday afternoon.

Game 1
After two quiet innings, the Bruins opened the scoring in the third when Valencia, who'd doubled to begin the inning, scored on Andrew Reichenbach's double play. The Bruins added single runs in the fourth, on a Jake Thran double, and in the fifth, when Gabe Louthan reached on an error and came in on a soaring sacrifice fly by Brandon Wileman. 

With the Boxers unable to cobble together a rally off of Bruins's starter Dustin Wells, who didn't give up a hit until the fifth, the Bruins kept adding to their lead. Finally, in the sixth, Tanner Mansell stroked a double to plate Pacific's first run and narrow the score to 3-1.

But the Bruins came right back in the bottom of the sixth. Clay Mott led off by roping a single to left. Connor Newell bounced a grounder into a fielder's choice, but Caylen Clardy beat out an infield hit to put two runners on for Valencia. His triple into right scored both Newell and Clardy, and the Bruins were up, 4-1.

Unsatisfied with the three-run lead, the Bruins scored again in the seventh on back-to-back triples from Reichenbach and Jacob Woehler. Wells shut down the Boxers in the eighth to finish his day, and in the bottom of the eighth the Bruins put the game out of reach. Stringing together six hits and two errors, the Bruins scored five, two of which came on a smashed Reichenbach home run.

The Boxers managed two runs in the ninth off of reliever Mikah Takashige, but the 11-3 final was still comfortable.

Game 2
The Bruins continued their momentum into game two, as AJ Valencia singled up the middle to start the inning off strong. Gabe Louthan laid down a sac bunt to push Valencia to second, and Valencia moved to third soon after on a wild pitch. Reichenbach then drew a walk and Jacob Woehler grounded out to second, scoring Valencia and giving the Bruins their first run of the game.

Both pitchers settled into the second not allowing a run from either side, but the third inning was a different story. The Bruins managed to put together five runs on four hits, and it all started again from Valencia's bat. He doubled to right center, and Gabe Louthan smashed a ball over the left field fence for the homerun ball to collect two RBIs. After the homer by Louthan, Reichenbach got on by a single and both Woehler and Ansel Webster got on from a walk. With bases now juiced, the Boxers went to their bullpen, but Riley McKean reached on a fielder's choice, scoring Reichebach. A couple of groundouts and one throwing error helped the Bruins plate their last two runs.

The Bruins added two more in the fourth to take an 8-0 advantage, but the Boxers wouldn't go down without a fight. The Boxers were able to score two in the top of the eighth, but that's all relief pitcher Zachery Muenster had to say about that. In fact, the two runs that were scored came off a throwing error, so Muenster was able to collect a save and not allow an earned run in his three innings of work.

Top Performers

Game 1
Wells had a career day on the mound, fanning eight and allowing just four hits and a run over his eight innings. He also didn't walk a single batter during his performance. At the plate, Valencia went 3-5, scoring twice and driving in three. Reichenbach went 3-4 with a homer and two RBIs. Woehler finished 2-4 with an RBI. Both Clay Mott and Connor Newell tallied two hits.

Game 2
Alex Jondal earned the win for the Bruins, pitching six innings and giving up just six hits in his 27 batters faced. Valencia, Louthan and Reichenbach all totaled two hits apiece. The Bruins out-hit the Boxers, 13-8.

What It Means
With the wins, the Bruins begin the conference schedule on the right foot. At this point, 2-0 in the Northwest Conference is exactly where they want to be.

What Comes Next
The Bruins finish their series against Pacific on Sunday with a 12:00 p.m. first pitch.