By Seth Preuss

NEWBERG --- The George Fox baseball team played host for Linfield College on Saturday, March 16, with a doubleheader against the Wildcats. The Bruins took game one with a 9-6 final and swept the doubleheader with an 11-3 final in game two.

Recap

Game One

Christopher Stone got the ball to start game one and lasted six innings in his fifth win of 2019 with three runs allowed on seven hits while striking out six. Isaac Olson worked two scoreless innings in relief, Liam Kent got two thirds of an inning, and Matt Voelzke closed the game with the final out of the ninth for his third save of the year.

The Bruins opened the scoring in the second inning with a solo shot from Matt Ramirez. Chase Fetzer and Sam Swenson followed with back to back walks and each came in to score for a 3-0 lead at the end of the second frame.

The Wildcats answered back with three runs in the fourth and fifth innings to tie the game at 3-3, but George Fox plated three runs in the sixth to take back the lead. A Swenson sacrifice fly scored Ramirez from third, and a bunt single on a squeeze play from Colby Watilo plated Chase Fetzer. Derek Johnson singled through the right side later in the inning to plate Watilo for a 6-3 lead.

After a scoreless seventh frame the Bruins tacked on three more runs. Swenson singled his way on base and Watilo drew a walk before Voelzke cashed both in with a towering three-run shot to left field for a 9-3 lead.

The Wildcats plated three runs to start the top of the ninth, but Voelzke came on to close the door by inducing a flyout to center field for a 9-6 final.

Game Two

The Bruins put Landon Schirer on the mound for game two and got a complete game effort from the sophomore right-hander with seven strikeouts while facing just 33 batters.

George Fox surrendered an early run to the Wildcats in the top of the first, but Schirer and the Bruins' defense locked in afterwards and held the Wildcats scoreless in seven of nine innings.

The Bruins reclaimed the lead for good after plating two in the bottom of the second frame. Fetzer and Swenson produced consecutive singles before a double from Watilo allowed both to score for a 2-1 lead.

The Bruins added three more in the fifth with a an RBI double from Johnson and a two-RBI single from Ramirez that plated Jerred Seamons and Kyler Brudwick. The Bruins gave two of the three runs back in the top of the sixth for a 5-3 lead, but a four-run frame in the bottom half of the inning put them in front 9-3.

Voelzke singled to left center in the inning to drive in Watilo and Swenson, and Brudwick lifted a sacrifice fly to right field to plate Jason Garcia. A wild pitch later in the inning allowed Voelzke to cruise home for the 9-3 lead.

Single runs in the seventh and eighth capped the day for George Fox after a double steal allowed Ramirez to score in the seventh and a sacrifice fly plated Jacob Deal in the eighth. Schrier worked a clean ninth to end the day with a sweep of the doubleheader.

Top Performers

Game One

Voelzke earned the save and also provided power at the plate with a four-for-five day at the dish, driving in four runners while scoring once himself with a homer, a triple, and two singles to finish a double shy of the cycle.

Game Two

Schirer pitched his first career complete game and the Bruins' first of the season with nearly 70% of his pitches thrown for strikes against the Wildcats, ending the outing with seven strikeouts – one shy of his career high. Ramirez provided more punch at the plate with a double, two RBI, and a run scored.

What It Means

The Bruins improve to 12-6 overall and are now 9-2 against NWC opponents this season.

What Happens Next

The Bruins finish their season series against the Wildcats on Sunday, March 17, at 12:00 pm.