Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 By: Jake Bienvenue
SALEM, Ore. --- The George Fox softball team played the final two games of the Northwest Conference series against Willamette Sunday, winning game one and losing game two, 7-2 and 5-4 respectively.
Recap:
Game One:
The Bearcats put up two runs in the bottom of the first inning to jump out to an early lead.
Alyssa Gonzalez began the action for the Bruins in the top of the third, hitting a double down the left field line. A bunt by Rebecca Pridmore advanced Gonzalez to third, and a sac fly by Kimi Ito earned the RBI, sending Gonzalez the rest of the way. The score was set at 2-1.
The Bruins came right back with two runs in the top of the fourth to take the lead. Allison Meyer hit a single to left field to start it off, and a subsequent single from Aaliyah Kautz sent her to second. A single and run to second on a wild pitch earned the RBI, sending home Meyer. Kautz was also able to score on a wild pitch and give the Bruins the 3-2 lead.
A huge fifth inning by the Bruins continued to widen the gap. Brooke Yasuda started it off with a single to center field. After a fielding error by the Bearcats, Meyer was able to earn the RBI on a groundball, sending Yasuda home. Kautz hit a single to shortstop for the RBI and Ashley Bunce ran home. Tristan Cozo, pinch running for Kautz, stole second and reached third on a throwing error; she scored on the next at-bat on a fielding error, unearned. Gonzalez singled to left field for the RBI, sending home Savannah Vargas. The four-run inning set the score at 7-2, which held for the remainder of the game.
Madison Sorensen went the distance, pitching all seven innings with five strikeouts.
Game Two:
The Bearcats managed to bring home a runner in the first, second, and third innings to earn the advantage.
The Bruins scored two in the top of the second as a single to left center from Roni Braun started the action. A big hit to left field from Savannah Vargas earned the two RBI double, sending home Braun and Gonzalez.
The Bruins took the lead with another two-run inning in the top of the sixth. Braun hit a homerun to left field for the RBI, evening the score at three. A double from Vargas set up Pridmore for the RBI, setting the score at 4-3.
The Bearcats scored two in the final inning to end the competitive game.
Top Performers:
Game One:
Gonzalez led the Bruins in game one, going three for four at the plate with two RBIs. Kautz, Meyer, and Ito chipped in an RBI apiece to round out the winning effort. Sorensen improved her record to 11-6 on the season with the win.
Game Two:
Vargas took charge in game two, going a perfect two for two at the plate for two RBIs. Braun had two runs and an RBI, going two for three at the plate and Pridmore chipped in a RBI as well.
What It Means:
The Bruins move to 18-14 on the season and 14-12 in conference play. After going 2-2 with the Bearcats, the Bruins are now fourth in the NWC.
What's Next:
The Bruins complete their season with the final two game series against Lewis & Clark College Saturday, April 15, at 12p.m. The date also marks senior day for the Bruins.
