Photo Taken By: Chad Bergerson

By: Jake Bienvenue

REDLANDS, Calif. --- The George Fox softball team kicked off its season in California with a Friday afternoon doubleheader against Redlands, sweeping the series with a 9-0 first game win and a 7-6 nine-inning victory in the second game.

Recap:

Game One:

The Bruins went three and out in the first inning, but the Bulldogs were similarly unable to send a runner home as the game opened up without a run on either side. The second inning followed in the same fashion.

The Bruins managed to strike first in the top of the third. Roni Braun was hit by a pitch and advanced to first, followed by a walk by Kimi Ito which sent her to second. A single by Alex Parker was mishandled by the Bulldog outfield, allowing Parker to drive in Braun for an RBI and move to second.

George Fox capitalized on the momentum with a big fourth inning after Redlands was again unable to score in the bottom of the third.

The Bruins scratched another two runs across in the top of the fourth thanks to a two-RBI double from Alyssa Gonzalez, sending home Allison Meyer and Aaliyah Kautz and setting the score at 3-0.

Gonzalez kept it going for the Bruins in the top of the sixth, as an RBI single to center field sent Meyer running home to push the lead to 4-0.

George Fox exploded in the top of the seventh to seal the game for good.

With runners on first and second, Kautz hit a single to left field, sending Olivia Nelson home for the RBI. Yet another three runs for the Bruins came on a huge home run by Meyer, good for the three RBI. And finally, a triple by Rebecca Pridmore to right center field was good for the final RBI of the game, 9-0.

Game Two:

Redlands struck first in game two with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first, followed by another run in the bottom of the second. With the score at 3-0, the Bulldogs were able to score once more in the bottom of the third to widen the gap.

Pridmore began the effort for the Bruins with a double to left center field. Braun hit a single, then advanced to second on the throw to send Pridmore home for the RBI. Braun was able to score on a throwing error to narrow the deficit, 4-2.

The Bruins were able to tie it up in the top of the fifth on a two-RBI homer by Gonzalez, setting the score at 4-4.

Bergerson was dialed in for the sixth and seventh inning, keeping the Bulldogs off the board. With the game still tied at 4-4, the Bruins were the first to score in extra innings. In the top of the eighth, Parker was able to hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield to score Braun, who was placed on second at the start of the inning.

The Bulldogs answered in the bottom half of the inning to force another inning of play.

Kautz opened up the inning with a wonderful at-bat, working herself into a walk. Meyer was also patient and drew a walk to load the bases for the Bruins. Alyssa Gonzalez hit the go-ahead single for the Bruins to put the Bruins up 6-5. Pridmore delivered the dagger with a single to right field scoring Meyer to give the Bruins a 7-5 lead. The Bulldogs managed to score one in the ninth, but that wouldn't be enough to take the game.  

"We had a really gritty team win that second game," said head coach Jessica Hollen. "Proud of the way we are competing together this early on in the season." 

Top Performers:

Game One:

Gonzalez and Meyer got it done in game one, each with three RBI. Madison Sorensen was a nightmare on the mound for the Bulldogs, recording seven strikeouts while holding the opposition to just four hits in the game.

Game Two:

Pridmore went 3-4 at the plate with the game-winning RBI. Abbie Bergerson went seven innings for the Bruins, striking out six and allowing four runs, two earned. Sorensen recorded the win, improving to 2-0 on the season.

What It Means:

The Bruins open up the season at 2-0.

What Comes Next:

The Bruins continue their road trip in California Saturday, this time in a doubleheader against Occidental at 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm.