By Josh Nutter

Newberg, Ore. --- The George Fox softball team hosted Puget Sound in an NWC doubleheader on Saturday in Newberg and came away with a pair of victories. The Bruins offense made quick work of the Loggers in game one, taking a 9-1 mercy rule win in five innings in game one and another mercy rule win by a score of 11-3 in game two. 

How It Happened

The offense was quiet from both sides for the first two frames before the Loggers broke the silence in the top of the third with a run to take a 1-0 lead. The Bruins responded quickly, scoring the first six batters that came to the plate before they even had an out on the board. Kamryn Potter's RBI triple to score Olivia Nelson and knot the score at one. Potter scored next on a Savannah Vargas double to put the Bruins ahead for good. George Fox batted all the way through the lineup in the inning, scoring five more runs to take a 7-1 lead into the fourth inning. Claire Fountain hit an RBI double to score Maclairen Magruder to make it 8-1 in the bottom of the fourth. Fountain scored two batters later to give the Bruins a 9-1 lead. The George Fox defense kept Puget Sound off the board in the top of the fifth to claim a mercy-rule win after five. 

The Bruins didn't wait to get started at the plate in game two. Vargas launched a three run homer in the bottom of the first to make it 3-0 and Katie Ladd came up to the plate shortly after and sent a two-run shot to center field to give the Bruins a 5-0 lead after the opening frame. George Fox batters weren't done going yard in game two. Fountain smacked a solo shot in the bottom of the fourth to make it 6-1 Bruins. Ladd came up to the plate next and hit her second home run of the day, making it 7-1. Emma Classen sent two more runners home with an RBI double to make it 9-1 before the fourth inning was done. The Loggers scored a pair of runs in the top of the fifth, cutting the game to 9-3. The Bruins stretched the lead back to mercy rule territory in the bottom of the frame when Ladd added on to her spectacular day with a base hit to put the Bruins ahead 11-3 and end the game.

Top Performers

Katie Ladd went 3-for-4 in game two with five total runs batted in and a pair of home runs. She had seven total RBI in the doubleheader and the Loggers' pitchers had no answer for her all day long. Savannah Vargas was also electric at the plate, contributing a home run in game two with three runs batted in. Ashley Davis pitched a gem in game one, allowing one run and just two total hits in five innings of work. 

What It Means

The Bruins are currently riding a seven game NWC win streak and sit at 16-6 on the year and 12-2 in conference play after Saturday's doubleheader, good for a second in the conference behind Linfield. 

What Happens Next

The Bruins and Loggers will close out their series with another doubleheader starting on Sunday at 11 am.