Box Score By: Jake Bienvenue
NEWBERG --- The George Fox baseball team hosted the Poets of Whittier College in a midweek nonconference game on Wednesday, earning a solid 7-5 victory.
Recap:
The Bruins found their way onto the board first, scratching across a run in the bottom of the fourth. Sam Swenson got it going with a double to left center field. CJ Ibara stepped up a singled to left field, then advanced to second on a throwing error, allowing Swenson to reach home.
The Poets responded with a run in the top of the fifth to even the score at one apiece.
George Fox put together a nice inning in the bottom of the fifth to take the lead. Matt Voelzke singled to left center, then Jantzen Tamanaha singled to shortstop to place runners on first and second. Kyler Brudwick stepped up and smacked a two-RBI triple to right center field. Jerred Seamons followed it up with a sac-fly to allow Brudwick to reach home, pushing the lead to 4-1.
The Bruins kept it up in the bottom of the sixth. Jason Garcia doubled down the left field line, then Voelzke singled and advanced to second on the throw, sending Garcia to home plate. Jayce Lien bunted, then stole second which allowed Voelzke to score. The home team led 6-1 after six innings.
Whittier came right back with a run in the top of the seventh and three runs in the top of the eighth, shaving the Bruin lead to just one, 6-5.
Voelzke kept up his impressive play at the plate in the bottom of the eighth. Wanting to create some distance, the Bruins managed to put a run on the board. Voelzke got it started with a double down the right-field line, then managed to advance to third on a wild pitch. With two outs and the looming threat of the Poets, Seamons singled to left center, allowing Voelzke to score.
The Bruins, up 7-5, sent Voelzke in to close out the game on the mound. The junior grabbed his fourth save of the season and kept Whittier from making any type of comeback in the top of the ninth.
Top Performers:
Voelzke was pivotal in this one, going 4-5 at the plate with three runs, an RBI, and a save. Brudwick and Seamons were key contributors as well, batting in a pair of runners apiece.
What It Means:
The Bruins' string of recent success continues as they push their win streak to 10. They sit at 14-6 overall and 10-2 in conference play.
What Comes Next:
The Bruins face Whitworth in a road doubleheader on Saturday, March 23rd at 12:00 pm and 3:00 pm.
