By Jacob Hayes

Salem, Ore. --- The George Fox Bruins swept their Saturday doubleheader against the Willamette Bearcats in comeback fashion with finals of 4-3 and 7-6.

How It Happened

George Fox was on the board early in the top of the first thanks to a throwing error that scored Kamryn Potter all the way from first, but the Bearcat defense tightened up and allowed only two hits through the next four innings. In the bottom of the fifth, Willamette shifted their defensive momentum to offense with a three-run rally to take the lead.  That was all it took to wake the Bruin bats up as Kaite Ladd tagged a two-run shot over the left-field fence, tying the game 3-3. Not to let Ladd's long bomb be hit in vain, Victoria Richter led off the top of the seventh and took her pitch to straightaway center, reclaiming the lead 4-3. Ashley Davis came back into pitch after her rocky fifth and retired six straight Bearcats to win game one.  

Another scoring bout in the top of the first of game two gave the Bruins the early lead again.  Potter made it to first with a one-out single and promptly stole second.  Savannah Vargas stroked a double to left-center, easily scoring Potter and bringing up Claire Fountain.  She knocked in Vargas with an RBI single, making the score 2-0.  In the top of the second, Kimberly Pulido scored Richter from second to extend the lead, which Ladd added to with her own RBI single in the top of the third.  The Bearcats got a run back in the bottom of the fourth, but then tied it with a bases-clearing double in the bottom of the fifth.  Richter broke another tie with a solo shot in the sixth, but Willamette was determined to win the game, taking back the lead with two runs in the bottom of the sixth.  With three outs to extend the game, the Bruins made sure to put the pressure right back on the Bearcats.  With two outs, Ladd doubled to center to score Potter from second.  Richter came back to the plate with yet another chance to break a tie and did so with a hit right back up the middle.  Her RBI gave the Bruins a one-run lead going into the bottom of the seventh.  Emma Eastman took care of business and retired the side as the Bruins won 7-6.   

Top Performers

Richter made the most of her high-leverage plate appearances, going 4-7 with three runs and three RBIs, including two solo home runs.  Ladd led all Bruins with four RBIs, hitting a home run herself.  Davis pitched a complete game, striking out eight Bearcats while only allowing three to score.

What it Means

George Fox improves to 15-3 in conference play and 19-7 overall to move into a tie for first with Linfield on the NWC leaderboard. Willamette falls to 2-16 in conference play and 3-21 overall.

What Happens Next

The Bruins will finish their weekend with a second doubleheader against the Bearcats on Sunday, April 18.  First pitch is scheduled for 11:00 am in Salem, Ore.