TACOMA, Wash. --- After completing a halted game two with a win to clinch the season series against Puget Sound, Fox was unable to sustain its momentum late in game three and fell, 5-3, in the series finale.

How It Happened

The Bruins turned to Ben Wills for a game three start and got four and one-third innings from the sophomore righthander. Wills struck out three and left as the pitcher of record, and the Bruins were unable to get him off the hook. Andrew Sutherland, Ryan Watilo, and Alex Abbott finished the last three and two thirds, allowing one run and two hits between them.

Fox gave Wills an early 3-0 lead to work with after three innings, but the Loggers were able to answer back with five for a lead that held through the last out of the game. 

Spencer Roos, Jared Gee, and Breyndon Nakamura all drove in runs in the second and third innings to build the early lead, but a pair of extra-base hits and an RBI single for the Loggers proved to be too much to overcome in a tight ballgame to cap the series. Fox stranded seven runners in the series finale, including a bases-loaded situation in the second and mulitple runners in scoring position, as the Puget Sound bullpen held firm in the final innings.

Top Performances

Sutherland retired three via strikeout in 1.2 innings of work. Roos and Jeremy Sangalng each doubled in the loss, and Noah Meffert went 3-4 with a triple and two of the Bruins' three runs.

Coach's Thoughts

"Road series wins are tough in our conference," coach Kevin Kopple said after the series. "Our guys had great energy all weekend and I'm really proud of how we played. We need to continue to get better and continue to compete."

What It Means

Fox is a game above .500 at 11-10 overall and 5-4 in NWC games midway through the season, and UPS improves to 10-9 overall and 7-5 in conference. The Bruins sit in a tie for second via win percentage with PLU behind UPS.

Up Next

Fox hosts Lewis & Clark on Mar. 19 & 20 in Newberg. First pitch on Saturday, Mar. 19, is scheduled for 12:00 pm.