WHITTIER, Calif. --- The George Fox softball team split a stormy Saturday doubleheader at Whittier. The Bruins cruised to a 6-0 victory in game one but were unable to complete a late comeback in a 7-5 loss in game two.

Game One (6-0)

After an early rain delay, the Bruins exploded for six runs on four consecutive hits in the top of the second. Freshman Kamryn Potter got things rolling with a two-RBI double to plate Kimberly Pulido and Allisa Yabumoto. Potter came around to score off a Roni Braun single to right field. Unable to shut down to Bruins' hot bats, Whittier suffered back-to-back homers from Claire Fountain and Aaliyah Kautz before getting the final two outs.

A hitting drought ensued with the Bruins only getting as far second base in the next four innings, with Yabumoto reaching on an error and a stolen base from Olivia Nelson. Despite the lack of scoring, the blue and gold held the Poets to just one hit through the remainder of the game.

An Allison Meyer single marked the Bruins final hit after a lightning delay held up play in the sixth.

Potter continues to impress in her debut season, going 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored with Fountain's bomb plating two runs as well. Seven of the Bruins' starting nine tallied hits in game one while Potter and Fountain were two of four batters to draw a walk.

Ashley Davis was excellent in the circle, pitching a complete-game shutout with six strikeouts and allowing just three hits along the way.

Game Two (5-7)

The Poets regrouped and managed to defeat the Bruins 7-5 despite a four-run rally late in the second game.

Both the Bruins and the Poets got off to a quicker start as both were able to score in the opening inning. With two runners on and one out, Kautz stepped up to the plate. The Poets chose to cut down Fountain on second, allowing Potter to scream home for the Bruins' first run of the game.

Whittier immediately retaliated with two runs of their own in the bottom of the first and patted their lead with two RBI-doubles in the second. The Poets took advantage of a Bruin error to add an insurance run in the third before scoring two more runs in the fourth.

A sixth-inning rally saw the Bruins chip away at the deficit as they scored three runs on three hits, including two home runs. Kautz blasted her second bomb of the day before Cortney Hunt stepped up and sent a two-RBI longball over the fence. Mikaelie Sullivan doubled down the left-field line before coming home on Hunt's long ball.

The Bruins forced the Poets into their second scoreless inning before vying for the comeback in the seventh. With two outs and a runner on second, Kautz proved to be a valuable asset for the Bruins once again. The senior plated Braun with a single to right-center, but Fox ran out of time and its comeback efforts fell short.

Caitlyn Rhoades took her first loss in the circle while Whittier's Amanda Melodia tallied her first win of the season. Sarah Storton came into pitch 4.1 innings in relief and the two Bruin hurlers combined for just four earned runs.

Top Performers

Kautz was clutch against the Poets, batting .428 (3-for-7) with two home runs. The senior scored twice and drove in four runs. Braun also finished with a 3-for-7 effort and two runs scored. Potter drew an impressive four walks in a two-for-four day, finishing with two runs, including a homer, and two RBI. Hunt's two-RBI round trip came in her sole at-bat.

Hollen's Take

"We have had moments that have been pretty exciting, but we definitely haven't put together a whole game yet. We are working to be more consistent."

What It Means

Fox has won three of its last four games and is now 3-2 on the season with another doubleheader before Northwest Conference action begins.

What Happens Next

The Bruins close out their California road trip with a doubleheader at Occidental tomorrow, Feb. 23. Oxy is off to a rocky start, with a 1-3 record heading into the weekend. The first pitch is set for 11:00 a.m.