NEWBERG, Ore. --- The No. 1 seeded George Fox Bruins advanced in the winner's half of the bracket on Thursday, May 6, with an 8-2 win over No. 4 seed Whitworth on the Bruins' home diamond.

How It Happened

Ashley Davis started the game and held the Pirates down throughout by hitting her spots and mixing up speeds. The Bruins jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first after Kamryn Potter worked a four-pitch walk and scored on a Pirate throwing error. 

George Fox plated four runs in the second after loading the bases with singles from Potter and Savannah Vargas, as well as a walk by Claire Fountain. Katie Ladd wore an RBI pitch on the shoulder and Caitlyn Rhoades singled into left to score two more for the 4-0 lead after two frames.

The Bruins added three more in the third to put the game in the freezer. Kimberly Pulido reached on a leadoff error and took second on the play. Potter wore a pitch to get on base and Vargas singled up the middle to score Pulido. Fountain drew another walk and Ladd singled into center field to make it 7-0, and Rhoades knocked an RBI single into left for the 8-0 lead.

The Pirates got one back in the fourth and added another in the seventh, but Davis and her defense kept the threats at bay and the Pirates' five errors on the day helped to advance the Bruins to game four of the tourney with an 8-2 final through the regulation seven frames.

Top Performers

Vargas reached base all four times up with a 2-for-2 day and two walks while scoring once and driving in one, while Potter scored three of the eight runs and hit 2-for-3 with a walk and an RBI. Ladd and Rhoades drove in three apiece, and Davis had a day in the circle with nine strikeouts and just two hits allowed in her 12th complete game of the year.

Their Thoughts

"It's always great to get the first win of the tournament," coach Jessica Hollen said after the victory. "I'm proud of these ladies and the way they keep competing!"

What It Means

George Fox improves to 28-9 on the year and Whitworth drops to 13-22. The Bruins stay in the winners' bracket while Whitworth would have to win its way through the losers' bracket to stay alive.

What Happens Next

The Bruins will play the winner of Lewis & Clark/Linfield on Friday, May 7, at 1:30 pm.