CLAREMONT, Calif. --- The 2022 George Fox baseball season is underway now as Fox started the year with a 4-3 win against the Stags of Claremont-Mudd-Scripps.
How It Happened
The Bruins scored first on a wild pitch after Bleu Ellis doubled himself aboard in the second inning and moved to third on a passed ball. After a scoreless second frame, CMS tied the game with a hit-by-pitch and a single into center field in the bottom of the third.
A double to left center in the fourth gave Fox a chance, but the Bruins ended up stranding Jayce Lien on the bag in a tie 1-1 ball game.
Fox broke the tie in the fifth and knocked the CMS starter out of the game after stringing a Stag error together with singles from Brandon King and Jonathan Stone to plate Jared Miller for a 2-1 lead. The Bruins added another run in the sixth with an Ellis walk, a Lien single, and another wild pitch by CMS to make it 3-1.
The Stags answered with two runs in the bottom of the sixth to tie the game at 3-3 and knock Weise out of the game after five and two thirds innings. Ellis got aboard again on a walk and stole his way to third in the eighth before scoring on a sacrifice fly from Jeremy Sangalang to score and make it 4-3. After CMS went scoreless in the bottom of the eighth, the game was called due to poor light and gave the Bruins their first win of 2022.
Top Performances
Ellis was a menace on the basepaths and scored three of the Bruins' four runs, including the game-winner. He also knocked a double on the day and finished 1-2 with two walks in four plate appearances. On the hill, Noah Meffert earned his first collegiate win after coming on in relief and working a scoreless two and a third frames. Weise ended his season debut with six strikeouts, including two looking.
Coach's Thoughts
"I'm proud of the grit our guys showed today to find a way to win the game late," coach Kevin Kopple said of the season-opening victory.
What It Means
Fox starts the year at 1-0 in its non-conference season opener.
Up Next
The Bruins will finish their first series of 2022 with a doubleheader against CMS on Saturday, Feb. 5, with first pitch scheduled for 11:00 AM.
