GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas --- The George Fox baseball team opened its 2020 season on Friday, Feb. 7, with a game against Hardin-Simmons University at the Rusty Greer-Jackie Moore Classic hosted by HSU. The Bruins trailed early before erupting in the ninth for a 5-1 win in nine innings.

Recap

The Bruins put Landon Schirer on the hill to start the game and got six innings from their lanky right-hander. Schirer exited the game with a run allowed on four hits, three walks, and four strikeouts – including one looking. Isaac Olson came on to work the seventh and eighth innings before Sean Wiese was called on to close the game with a clean ninth and struck out two of the three batters he faced, including one backwards K.

After being retired in order to start the game, the Bruins surrendered the game's first run in the bottom of the opening frame. After flying through the next four frames, George Fox got the run back in the top of the sixth with a two-hit frame after knocks from Travis Miller and Matt Ramirez evened the game at 1-1.

After the Bruins evened the score, the pitchers' duel resumed for three more frames before the George Fox bats came alive late in the game to take the day.

The Bruins saved their best for the final frame as Sam Swenson chopped a single down the third base line to lead off. Marc Audet followed with a single through the left side, Leon Johnson III added a pinch-hit single, and then all three runners came around to score on a bases-clearing triple hit by Miller. An RBI single from Jared Gee through the hole at shortstop plated Miller for the 5-1 lead.

Top Performers

The Bruins' defense did a great job of supporting their pitchers throughout, including a handful of highlight catches from the likes of Trevor Nannini and Gee. Miller had a sterling introduction to the Bruins' lineup as the freshman catcher debuted with a 3-4 day at the plate, three RBI, two runs scored, and a triple while hitting in the eight hole. The frosh catcher also did a good job as part of the Bruins' battery, catching three different pitchers and framing up a handful of looking strikeouts for the Bruins.

What It Means

George Fox starts its first season under coach Kopple with a 1-0 record. "I'm really proud of our guys today," Kopple said after the win. "We stuck with our approach and were able to break through late - our pitching was phenomenal. Being 1-0 is great, we got the first one out of the way and it's a moment I'll never forget, but we have two big challenges left this weekend. I'm excited to see how we play the rest of the weekend."

What Happens Next

The Bruins will be back in action again on Saturday, Feb. 8, with a tough test against Texas Lutheran scheduled for 12:30 pm (PT).