By Seth Preuss

NEWBERG --- The Bruins completed their third consecutive series sweep on Sunday, March 17, with a 15-3 win over Linfield at Morse Athletic Field.

Recap

Chase Fetzer got the start and went five and two thirds of an inning for the Bruins, finishing his outing with four strikeouts and three runs – only two earned – allowed on five hits. Isaac Olson came on in relief and worked an inning and a third, Nate Leid pitched a shutout inning in the eighth, and Connor Carter closed the game in the ninth with a shutout inning.

The game began with the appearance of a pitchers' duel after an efficient inning for Fetzer and the Wildcats' starter, but the Linfield pitching staff struggled to maintain their early effectiveness after one shutout inning.

The Bruins put up four runs in the second to open the scoring. Jerred Seamons wore a pitch and Matt Ramirez drew a walk before Fetzer plated Seamons with an RBI double to left center. Jason Garcia followed that hit with a three-run laser over the wall in left field for the 4-0 lead after two frames.

A Fetzer single cashed in Ramirez in the third for a 5-0 lead, and the Bruins erupted for eight runs in the fourth to take a 13-0 lead. Garcia, Seamons, Matt Voelzke, and Derek Johnson all singled as the Bruins batted around, and the Bruins got a double from Ramirez and a grand slam from Colby Watilo to pad the numbers in the inning.

Linfield put a run on the board in the board in the fifth but George Fox answered with a single tally to take a 14-1 lead. After loading the bases with singles from Seamons, Fetzer, and a walk by Sam Swenson, Garcia wore a pitch to drive in a run.

The Bruins gave up two runs in the top of the sixth but got one more insurance run in the eighth after a pair of walks from Voelzke and Jacob Deal and a single by CJ Ibarra. The Wildcats got a runner into scoring position in the ninth but the Bruins were able to hold any late rally attempts from the Wildcats for another statement conference victory.

Top Performers

Colby Watilo became the ninth Bruin regular to lift a home run out of the park with his grand slam in the fourth and finished with four RBI on the day. Fetzer supported his cause at the plate with a three for three performance, producing two RBI, two runs scored, and a double.

What It Means

The Bruins improve to 13-6 overall and are now 10-2 against NWC opponents in the 2019 season after winning nine straight against NWC competition.

What Happens Next

The Bruins will play host for Whittier College (Calif.) on Wednesday, March 20, before returning to NWC play at Whitworth on March 23 & 24.