SPOKANE, Wash. --- With an elimination game hanging above their heads, the George Fox softball team stepped up to the plate on Friday, defeating the Boxers of Pacific, 4-1.

Recap:
The Boxers were able to score a run in the top of the first after Roberts got on base by a hit by pitch. The next batter advanced her to second on a sac-bunt, and two pitches later Roberts tried to steal third. During her attempt, the Bruins' third basemen was up expecting a bunt and the short stop tried to cover third, but a throwing error by the catcher not only gave her a stolen base, but advanced her home for the first run of the game.

After the 1-0 start by the Boxers, the game slowed down quite a bit, but Annie Veatch changed that in the bottom of the third with a single to right center that scored Kimi Ito. With the score tied at 1-1, the Bruins found some momentum as Amanda Woods singled through the left side to push Veatch to second. Julia Apodaca came in to pinch run for Veatch and a wild pitch advanced her to third. Kat Hylton then hit a single to left field to score Apodaca and move Woods to second. Ashley Bunce hit a single to centerfield that loaded the bases, but Boxer pitcher Marissa Reichard got out of the jam with a strikeout.

Madison Sorensen continued to keep the Boxers off the board with five straight scoreless innings.

The Bruins added some insurance in the fifth inning after Amanda Woods worked a walk, and Tia Uyehara came in to pinch run for Woods. Courtney Howard advanced Uyehara to second on a sac-bunt, and Kat Hylton singled up the middle to score the Bruins' third run of the game.

Kayla Anderson secured another run for the Bruins in the bottom of the sixth after a crushing homerun to right center, 4-1.

Sorensen ended the game for the Bruins in the circle keeping the Boxers scoreless.

Top Performers:
Kat Hylton went 2-4 on the day with two RBIs, while Ashley Bunce recorded two hits as well. Anderson and Veatch also recorded an RBI on the day. Sorensen went all seven innings for the Bruins and gave up just four hits and one run with two strikeouts.

What It Means:
The Bruins hopes are still alive in the Northwest Conference Tournament as they beat the Boxers in the elimination game.

What Comes Next:
With the win, the Bruins will advance to Saturday's game against the winner of Whitworth and Linfield at 11:00 a.m. The Pirates and the Wildcats will play the final game of Friday at 4:30 to determine who will play the Bruins.

Saturday's Schedule
Saturday, April 23
Game 5 (11:00 am):  Whitworth/Linfield vs. George Fox
Game 6 (1:30 pm):  Winner of Game 5 vs. Winner of Game 4
Game 7 (4:00 pm):  Winner of Game 6 vs. Loser of Game 6 (if necessary)