Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 By: Jake Bienvenue
NEWBERG --- The George Fox baseball team hosted the Whitman Blues in a Saturday afternoon Northwest Conference doubleheader, splitting the series with a 4-2 loss in game one and an explosive 9-0 win in game two.
Recap:
Game One:
The first four innings saw the teams go back-and-forth, with neither side able to put anything together. Then the Blues struck in the top of the fifth. They scratched across three runs, followed by an additional run in the top of the sixth to take a 4-0 lead.
The Bruins responded in the bottom of the eighth. Derek Johnson was hit by the pitcher, and then Jerred Seamons reached on a fielder's choice to put runners on first and second. Matt Ramirez batted Johnson in with a single up the middle, then Sam Swenson batted Seamons in with a single to center field, cutting the lead to just 4-2.
The home team held Whitman scoreless in the top of the ninth but were unable to close the gap as they lost a close game one, 4-2.
Game Two:
The Bruins were out for blood in game two, and Matt Voelzke started it off. In the bottom of the third, Voelzke cracked a homer out of left field to put the home team on the board in style.
They kept it up in the bottom of the fourth, exploding for four runs. Jantzen Tamanaha reached on a fielding error and then advanced to second on a passed ball. Swenson walked, then a groundout by CJ Ibara pushed Tamanaha to third and Swenson to second. Colby Watilo stepped up and hit a two-RBI triple to center field, and on the next play, he was able to reach home on a throwing error. Voelzke walked and advanced Jason Garcia to second and a single from Ramirez allowed Garcia to score. The Bruins led after four innings, 5-0.
The Bruins piled it on with yet another four-run inning in the bottom of the eighth. Watilo singled and then Garcia hit the second home run of the day for two RBIs. Ramirez singled and Kyler Brudwick doubled to put runners on second and third. Consecutive singles from Seamons and Tamanaha allowed Ramirez and Brudwick to score, giving the Bruins a commanding 9-0 lead.
Landon Schirer was dialed in all day for the Bruins as the starter on the mound. The sophomore righty pitched his second complete game of the season, going all nine innings for his first career shutout.
Top Performers:
Game One:
Swenson had a good game at the plate, going 2-4 with an RBI. Ramirez batted in a runner as well in the effort. Christopher Stone was a monster on the mound, striking out seven batters in seven innings pitched.
Game Two:
Watilo played well in game two, going 2-3 at the plate with two runs and two RBIs. Garcia's two-RBI homer was pivotal as well. Ramirez was accurate at the plate, going 3-4 while batting in a runner. Landon Schirer was an ace for the Bruins at pitcher, earning the win and the complete game shutout while throwing a whopping seven strikeouts.
What It Means:
The Bruins move to 17-9 overall and 12-6 in conference play.
What Comes Next:
The Bruins host Whitman for the rubber match at 12:00 pm on Sunday, March 31st.
