By: Alex Plusquellec

NEWBERG, Ore. --- A monster offensive weekend culminated in a sweep of Lewis and Clark as the George Fox baseball team took the opening series of Northwest Conference play with 12-10 and 10-2 victories on Sunday.

Recap:

Game One:

Play resumed in the top of the sixth inning of game two after being suspended on Saturday. The Bruins built an early lead thanks to RBIs from Kyler Brudwick and Sam Swenson. After the Pioneers rallied to take a 7-6 lead, the Bruins used aggressive base running to take advantage of the Pioneers' pitching miscues and reclaim the lead 11-7.

Austin Baek doubled to right in the bottom of the sixth, driving home Dillon Blankenship to extend the lead to 12-7.

The Pioneers got three runs over in the top of the seventh to cut the lead to 12-10, but the relief efforts of Zach Stouder and Alex Jondal helped silence the rally and secure the second win of the series.

Game Two:

The offensive production for the Bruins remained on cruise control for the final game of the series. Jerred Seamons' leadoff double produced the first run of the game after the Bruins' third baseman was brought home via Swenson's RBI single.

The Bruins picked up two more in the bottom of the first thanks to three straight singles by Brudwick, Dillon Blankenship and Houston Thom and took a 3-0 lead after the first.

Alex Jondal got the start in game three, going 4.2 innings while allowing two hits and two runs, both unearned. The Pioneers were able to score two in the top of the third made possible by two errors by the Bruins.

With two runners on in the bottom of the third, Brudwick's sac-fly added to the Bruin lead.

Matt Voelzke replaced Jondal in the fifth inning and completely shut down the Lewis and Clark bats. The sophomore tallied 12 strikeouts and allowed just two hits in 4.1 innings of relief.

After tacking on one in the sixth via a Seamons sac fly, the Bruins put together a five-run seventh inning. Blankenship's RBI single got things started before Baek, Seamons and AJ Valencia all produced RBIs of their own to bring the score to 10-2.

With Voelzke in command on the mound, the Bruins coasted to the 10-2 win and a sweep to start conference play.

Top Performers:

Game One:

The Bruins scored double-digit runs for the fifth time this season, driven by the bat of Swenson, who brought in three in the 12-10 victory. Seamons and Jantzen Tamanaha each tallied two RBIs as well.

Game Two:

Seamons stayed hot at the plate in the final game of the series, going 3 for 3 while driving in two. Blankenship followed suit with his own 3 for 3, two RBI day and Valencia used his speed to swipe two bases. The 10 runs by the Bruins in the final game of the weekend brought their series total to 49.

What It Means:

The Bruins, riding hot, sit at 9-2 overall and 3-0 in the NWC.

What Comes Next:

The Bruins will travel to take on the defending NWC champion Linfield Wildcats Saturday, Feb. 23. First pitch of the doubleheader is set for 11 a.m. with game two set to follow at 1:30 p.m.