NEWBERG, Ore. --- The George Fox softball team was in position to hand Linfield their first loss of the season in the first game of their Saturday doubleheader, but ultimately fell short; instead of hanging their heads, the Bruins came alive in the second game, blasting away the No. 6-ranked Wildcats to give them their first league loss of the season.
Game One
Ashley Davis got the nod in the first game of the day, and would pitch a complete game, striking out three batters. Despite a solid effort from Davis, Linfield got off to a quick 2-0 start, scoring one run on an error and one on a single by Claire Seats.
The Bruins would move their way back into the game on a pop up from Emma Classen in the bottom of the second. Classen's ball snuck by Abi Proffit's glove and landed just fair, allowing two runs to score on the error and knotting the game at two.
The game of errors would continue in the fifth when Linfield scored one run on another Bruin error, before a WIldcat home run pushed the lead to two runs. Both teams would trade one more run — Fox's a solo shot by Sharon Tomei — before the bottom of the seventh
The Bruins got themselves in scoring position in the final inning, loading the bases with two outs and Claire Fountain up to the plate. Though Fountain was able to get a hold of the ball, the long fly out drifted harmlessly into the gloves of the visiting Wildcats as Fox dropped the first game, 3-5.
Game Two
Though the Bruins came out of the gates in the second game far more determined, the first inning and a half were a carbon copy of game one. That rhythm didn't last long, however, as Fox broke through to grab the win and split the doubleheader.
Sydney Sandifer, Sharon Tomei, and Kamryn Potter all drove in a run in the bottom of the second to give the Bruins their first lead of the day, 3-2. Then in the fourth, Kimberly Pulido sent a ball into orbit with a solo home run. Although Linfield would manage one more run on a throwing error, Fox remained in control of the game.
The WIldcats would need two pitchers in the fourth inning as the Bruins scored four runs and left three stranded as the home team jumped out to a dominant 8-3 lead. Emma Classen delivered the gut punch in the bottom of the sixth with a single, putting the Bruins up six. Wilkinson finished her game strong, earning the win and handing the sixth ranked team in the nation their largest loss of the year.
Top Performances
Elise Wilkinson delivered her first complete game for Fox while earning a win against the No. 6 Wildcats, while both Tomei and Pulido homered off a tough pitching staff.
What It Means
Fox improves to 14-6 overall and is 9-3 against NWC opponents this season, while the WIldcats lost their first conference game of the season, sitting at 9-1 on the year.
Up Next
Weather permitting, the Bruins will finish the series against Linfield on Saturday, Mar. 12. The first game is scheduled to begin at 11:00 a.m.
