By Jacob Hayes

Newberg, Ore. --- The George Fox Bruins won both games in their doubleheader match-up against the Whitworth Pirates by finals of 9-1 (6 innings) and 8-4.

How it Happened

For the sixth game in a row, the Bruins landed early damage with runs in the first inning.  Kamryn Potter and Savannah Vargas wasted no time with back-to-back solo shots to put the Bruins up 2-0.  The next three innings were quiet, but Claire Fountain broke the silence with a two-run dinger to left.  Though it was already the third home run of the game, it was only just the beginning of the power hitting to come.  The Pirates made it on the board in the top of the sixth, but their run would not be enough to stop the game from ending in the bottom half of the frame.  Kimberly Pulido started the bottom of the sixth by going yard, preceding a frenzy of homers.  Vargas, Fountain, and Kaite Ladd took balls deep in back-to-back-to-back plate appearances, bringing the total number of home runs in the game to seven.  With the lead pushed to eight after five innings, the Bruins won by mercy rule 9-1.

Whitworth took exception to their loss and was on the board first with a run in the top of the second.  However, the lead was short-lived thanks to a solo big fly off the bat of Katie Ladd.  With the score tied at 1-1, the Bruins blew the game open with five runs in the bottom of the third.  Olivia Nelson reached on a walk and was advanced to third by Potter's double.  Vargas walked, but ball four got past the catcher allowing Nelson to scramble home.  Fountain also drew a walk, loading the bases for Caitlyn Rhoades.  She lined a bases-clearing double to left and then scored herself off of Courtney Hunt's double to right, increasing the Bruin lead to 6-1.  Whitworth responded with two runs in the top of the fourth, but Fountain nabbed those runs back with a two-RBI single in the bottom half of the inning.  Though the Pirates attempted to rally for more runs down the stretch, the lead was too great.  Emma Eastman closed out the final two and two-thirds innings, allowing just one hit and zero runs for a Bruin win 8-4.

Top Performers

Four-baggers were the hot ticket item for the Bruins, totaling eight over their two games.  Vargas, Fountain, and Ladd all finished with two bombs apiece, totaling 10 RBIs.  Ashely Davis pitched a stellar game one, allowing just one run over six innings while striking out eight.  

Their Thoughts

"Whitworth is a good team and we'll be in for two more tough games tomorrow," coach Jessica Hollen said after the doubleheader. "These wins are great, but we have to lock in and be ready again tomorrow. We're excited to get back out there."

What it Means

George Fox is on a seven-game win streak as they improve to 19-3 in conference play and 23-7 overall.  Whitworth is on a four-game skid, falling to 7-9 in conference play and 9-19 overall.

What Happens Next

The Bruins finish their series against the Pirates in a second doubleheader on Sunday, April 25.  First pitch is scheduled for 11:00 am at the Morse Athletic Fields.