By: Ryan Lackey

NEWBERG, Ore. --- The Bruins were consistent as they opened their 2016 season by sweeping Saturday's doubleheader with La Verne, winning the first game 4-1 and the second 4-2. Abbie Bergerson put in a gutsy performance for the Bruins, throwing a complete game in the opener before coming back to record the save in the nightcap. Alex Parker was the heroine of game two: her grand slam was the difference.

Recap:

Game One
Bergerson was poised and calm throughout her complete-game, four-strikeout performance. Though la Verne managed nine hits off of her, Bergerson limited damage and only lost her shutout on a sacrifice fly.

The Bruins's offense made Bergerson wait until the fourth for some support, but they arrived en masse. Amanda Woods led off the inning by clubbing a solo homer to center. Annie Veatch then singled, and after a Courtney Howard flyout Alex Parker ripped a double. With two on, Alyssa Gonzelez's single scored both, and the Bruins were up, 3-0.

It was Woods again the next inning. After Julia Apodaca doubled, Woods slapped a single to right that plated another run, extending the lead to 4-0.

Four runs was more than Bergerson was ever going to need. Though La Verne got one off of her in the sixth, she saw the game out with little danger, and the Bruins claimed their first win of the 2016 season.

Game Two
Though not as dominant as Bergerson, game two's starter, Madison Sorensen, was effective, going four innings and holding La Verne to two runs. This time, though, the Bruins were forced to play from behind.

After three innings of scoreless softball, La Verne began the bottom of the fourth with three straight singles. The bases loaded and no outs, Tori Baltazar and Sienna Kendricks contributed two more singles to put the Bruins behind, 2-0.

The Bruins didn't stay behind for long, though. The next inning, the top of the fifth, Rebecca Pridmore led off by pulling a double down the line, and Kimi Ito followed with a single. After two outs, Woods walked to load the bases for Alex Parker. La Verne's pitcher, Katherine Kibbe, delivered, and Parker roped a shot over the center field fence for a grand slam, and the Bruins took a sudden 4-2 lead.

Though La Verne put two runners on in the seventh, the relief duo of Alyssa Parra and Bergerson saw the game out for a 4-2 Bruin victory.

Top Performers:

Game One
Besides Bergerson, who was stellar, the Bruins's star was Woods, who finished 2-4 with two RBIs and a run scored. Alex Parker and Kat Hylton both finished 2-3, and Parker scored once.

Game Two
Alex Parker's grand slam was all the offense the Bruins needed; she finished 1-4 with a run and four RBIs. Leadoff batter Kimi Ito went 2-4. Alyssa Parr picked up the win, Bergerson the save.

What It Means:
The Bruins begin their 2016 campaign off on the right foot, with two victories.

What Comes Next:
Next Monday, the Bruins travel down to play two against Whittier.