By Collin Smoll

PORTLAND, Ore. --- George Fox baseball split day two of a four-game series against the Lewis & Clark Pioneers, winning the first game but losing the second, both by slim margins.

How it Happened

The Pioneers began game one with a run in each of the first two innings, but a third inning slam by Marc Audet put three runs on the board for the Bruins. The Pioneers responded by tying it up 3-3, but it became the Bruins' game at 7-3 with an RBI double by Chase Fetzer combined with Shane White's RBI in the sixth.  Jeremy Sanglang added a two-run homer in the seventh, Spencer Roos scored an RBI double in the eighth.

The Pioneers responded with a homer, and after a scoreless ninth for the Bruins, the Pioneers caught up and loaded the bases 8-7. At the critical moment, however, Austin Hallman got a strikeout and a double play, winning the game for the Bruins.

A quiet start to the second game was broken by a 3-RBI home run by Marc Audet in the third, followed by another Audet RBI double in the fifth. Sangalang knocked another RBI double in the seventh, putting them up over the Pioneers 5-1. A late collapse by the Bruins' bullpen in the seventh gave the game to the Pioneers after giving up five runs, including several on walks and hit-by-pitch batsmen.

Top Performers

Audet notched two home runs and seven RBI, followed by Sangalang, who tallied a homer of his own and three RBI. Sangalang, Audet, and Emery Miller helped keep the Pioneers at bay with two double plays each.

What It Means

The Bruins add a game to each side of the win column, going to 14-9 overall and 9-6 in conference, while the Pioneers do likewise at 7-13 all around. After the other results around the conference Fox now sits in fifth in the standings by overall wins and by win percentage against NWC schools. 

What Happens Next

The Bruins welcome Whitworth next weekend for another conference series, starting on Saturday, April 17.