Photo Taken By: Shelby Byerly

By: Jake Bienvenue

NEWBERG --- The No. 14-ranked and No. 1-seed George Fox softball team hosted the No. 3-seed Whitworth Pirates and the No. 4-seed Pacific (Ore.) Boxers in games three and four of the Northwest Conference tournament on Saturday, winning both, 10-3 and 7-2, respectively.

Recap:

Game One:

The Pirates got it going early, scratching across three runs in the top of the first to take an early lead.

George Fox responded in spectacular fashion, tallying four runs in the bottom of the third to jump ahead of their opposition. The Bruins loaded the bases, and then Savannah Vargas stepped up to the plate and hit a gorgeous grand slam out of center field in front of the home crowd.

The effort seemed to spark the home team, as they rattled off three more runs in the bottom of the fourth to pull away from the Pirates. Allison Meyer got it going with a double to left field, then Rebecca Pridmore batted her home with a single through the right side. Vargas kept it up, doubling to left center to allow Pridmore to reach home. Roni Braun capped off the inning with a single that allowed Vargas to reach home, setting the score at 7-3.

The Bruins scratched across an additional three runs in the bottom of the sixth to put the game out of reach. Braun singled, then advanced to second on the throw to send home Pridmore. Alyssa Gonzalez batted in Braun with a single, then Kimi Ito singled to left center to allow Madelynn Vallejo to reach home.

The Pirates were unable to respond as the Bruins took the first game of the day with ease, 10-3.

Game Two:

The Bruins looked for revenge against Pacific on Saturday evening, but the Boxers struck first with a pair of runs in the top of the first.

George Fox responded with a run in the bottom of the third. Pridmore doubled to center field, then Vargas batted her home with a single through the left side, 2-1.

The Bruins tied the game with another run in the bottom of the fourth. Braun stepped up to the plate and smacked a home run out of right field, giving the home team the momentum they needed for the revenge they craved.

Their momentum carried into the bottom of the fifth when they scratched across a pair of runs to take the lead in the pivotal matchup. Pridmore got it going with a triple to right field, then Vargas batted her home on a double up the middle. Annie Veatch stepped up to plate and managed to reach first on a throwing error by the shortstop, which allowed Vargas to score. The Bruins held a 4-2 lead heading into the final two innings.

The Bruins scored an additional three runs in the bottom of the sixth to pad their lead, setting the score at 7-2. With runners on first and second, Meyer hit a huge three-run home run out of left field, putting George Fox ahead for good.

The Boxers were unable to score in the top of the seventh as the Bruins completed their revenge, 7-2.

Top Performers:

Game One:

Vargas was huge for the Bruins in game one, hitting a grand slam while batting in another runner to record five RBIs. Braun batted in a pair of runners, and Pridmore, Gonzalez and Ito each tallied one RBI apiece. Madison Sorensen took the win on the mound in game one, allowing only three runs and throwing three strikeouts in seven innings pitched.

Game Two:

Meyer paced the team in RBI, tallying three on her pivotal home run. Vargas batted in a pair of runners, and Braun batted in one to round out the scoring effort for the Bruins in game two. Sorensen came away with the win, allowing only two runs in seven innings pitched.

What It Means:

With the wins, the Bruins are now 35-8 on the season. The Bruins will need to win out as Linfield hasn't lost in the tournament in this double-elimination.

What Comes Next:

The Bruins will host Linfield Sunday, April 22 at 12pm. If the Bruins win the first game the second game will be played at 2:30 pm. If Linfield wins the first game, they will win the NWC Championship.