NEWBERG, Ore. --- The George Fox baseball team opened its 2021 season with a non-conference series against Pacific (Ore.) and swept the Boxers to start the weekend with a 6-5 game one victory and a 4-3 win in game two.

How It Happened

The Boxers jumped out to an early 2-0 lead after a towering homer in the first frame, but the Bruins kept their composure and pushed a run across in the first and second innings to tie the game. In the third, the Bruins added three tallies to take the lead and then traded runs in the fifth to make it 6-5. Both teams pitched effectively out of the 'pen, but George Fox came away winners as the Bruins' relievers retired 15 straight to finish it out.

The Boxers got another early lead to start game two, but the Bruins were able to tie it at 1-1 in the third. A two-run rally in the fourth gave the Bruins a permanent lead and the Bruins' bullpen held on to close it out with a 4-3 victory. Both teams were able to save their bullpens for day two of the series as neither side used more than two arms in the second outing.

Top Performers

Leon Johnson III, Brandon King, Mason Arnold, Marc Audet, and Jeremy Sangalang each are hitting over .400 to start the year. Sangalang went 3-for-7 and leads the team with three RBI to start the year. On the mound, the Bruins notched 20 punchouts, including a team-high nine K's from Sean Weise.

Their Thoughts

"Really proud of the way our guys played," said said coach Kevin Kopple. "It was a total team effort. So happy for our guys that they were able to be back on the field competing as a team."

What It Means

George Fox improves to 2-0 on the year and the Boxers are 0-2 to start the season.

What Happens Next

The Bruins will wrap up their opening series on Sunday with another doubleheader against Pacific at home beginning at 11:00 am.