By: Alex Plusquellec

NEWBERG --- On a cool, wet Senior Day, the George Fox baseball team took down the Willamette Bearcats by a 9-5 score behind home runs from Bryan Branstetter, Jerred Seamons and Matt Voelzke.

Recap:

The Bruins got off to a hot start in the first inning. After senior Alex Jondal made quick work of the Bearcats in the top half of the inning, Austin Baek's RBI single down the left field line scored AJ Valencia.

After a single by Kyle Esquerra, Jerred Seamons cleared the bases with a big three-run homer to give the Bruins an early 4-0 lead.

The Bearcats came right back with a big inning of their own, putting up three runs in the top of the second to cut the Bruin lead to one.

The Bruins collected hits in both the second and third innings but couldn't muster any runs to build upon their 4-3 lead. The Bearcats were able to bring the tying run across in the fifth on a solo home run.

In the bottom of the seventh, the Bruins racked up five runs to take control. Branstetter led off the inning with a solo home run, the senior's first of the season. His teammates continued the aggressive approach at the plate, as Tristan Guillen picked up an RBI single before Voelzke launched a three-run home run to give the Bruins a 9-4 lead.

Willamette added one run in the eighth but it was not nearly enough as the Bruins took game one of the three-game series, 9-5.

Top Performers:

Branstetter, Seamons and Voelzke each blasted home runs to power the nine-run day by the Bruins. Seamons and Voelzke led the way with three RBIs apiece as Mikah Takashige picked up his second win of the season.

What It Means:

The win on Senior Day notched the 24th win of the season for the Bruins and now sit at 24-18 overall.

What Comes Next:

The Bruins and Bearcats will return to the diamond Sunday, April 29 as the two will square off in a doubleheader in Salem. First pitch of game two of the series is set for 12 p.m.