NEWBERG, Ore. --- The top-seeded George Fox softball team split its Senior Day doubleheader with Linfield on Friday, Apr. 30, after walking off game one 5-3 and falling in game two, 7-6.

How It Happened

Game one was a pitchers' duel for long stretches as both teams' defenses worked to keep the other in check. An RBI single from Claire Fountain gave the Bruins a 1-0 lead that held into the fifth, and after a Wildcat homer the Bruins got a two-RBI answering shot from Fountain in the bottom half of the inning. Two more Wildcat solo shots tied the game at 3-3 heading into the bottom of the seventh, but Savannah Vargas wore a pitch in the dirt to get on for Fountain and Claire did the rest, walking off game one with a no-doubter that cleared the scoreboard in left field by upward of 15 feet.

Game two was scoreless through two and a half frames before the Bruins pushed three runs across with RBI walks and a sacrifice fly. Katie Ladd and Caitlyn Rhoades picked up the RBI free bases, and Victoria Richter lifted the sac fly into center to plate Fountain.

Linfield got two runs back before Kamryn Potter plated herself with a solo shot into right field. The Wildcats got one run back with a solo shot, but Rhoades and Emma Classen each launched solo blasts to give Fox a 6-3 lead after five frames. The lead wasn't enough, however, and Linfield slugged its way to a 7-6 win with four unanswered runs to split the day. 

Top Performers

Fountain continues to be red-hot with two bombs, three walks, three runs scored, and five RBI in a 3-for-4 day at the plate, failing to reach base only once in eight plate appearances.

Davis worked eight and a third and ended up with both decisions after striking out four and scattering 11 hits through her outings.

What It Means

The Bruins still hold a one-game lead after splitting the day and can clinch the conference title and hosting rights for the NWC tourney if they win either game on Monday, May 3, in Linfield's park on the Wildcats' campus.

What Happens Next

George Fox wraps up the regular season with a doubleheader in McMinnville on Monday, May 3, with first pitch slated for 1:00 pm.