FOREST GROVE, Ore. --- George Fox took a game off of Northwest Conference frontrunner Pacific on the Boxers' home field after plating six unanswered runs late in the midweek matchup on Mar. 23.

How It Happened

Neither team threw their starters and both used the bullpen to staff the full nine innings, but in the end the Bruins' 'pen proved more reliable in the late innings. Alex Abbott was tagged as the winner for his scoreless eighth frame, and Noah Meffert struck out two in another save out of the 'pen.

The Bruins did damage first with single runs in the second and fourth innings. A Bleu Ellis single to center plated Spencer Roos in the second, and Derek Williams lifted a solo shot out of Chuck Bafaro Stadium in the fourth for a 2-0 lead.

The Bruins ran into trouble in the fifth and surrendered the lead with a five-spot by the Boxers in the frame, but Kevin Kopple's squad showed grit and resolve in the final innings to fight back in front with six unanswered runs in the last four frames.

Roos singled to opposite field on a 3-2 pitch to plate Brandon King in the sixth, and the Bruins' speed was on display in the seventh after Franklin Leonard was able to score from first on an RBI double by Matthew Sebolsky.

Trailing 5-4 in the top of the ninth, Fox took what the Boxers gave them and stayed with its patient approach at the plate to draw three walks off of Pacific's closer to bounce him from the mound. An RBI single into opposite field for Shane White, a stolen base by White, and an RBI groundout made the difference in the final at-bats as Fox got runs from Jeremy Sangalang, Noah Meffert, Breyndon Nakamura, and Brandon King in the ninth for the 8-4 final.

Top Performances

The Bruins' pitching staff as a unit struck out ten and pitched eight shutout innings in the win. At the plate, Sebolsky went 2-5 with hits in key moments for three RBI, and Williams got his third career homer out of the park.

Coach's Thoughts

"This is a great team win, we had solid pitching all the way around and that kept us in the game," Kopple said. "We got some key hits late and it feels great to get the win."

What It Means

Fox is back above .500 at 13-12 in the non-conference preview of its Pacific series and has some positive momentum again heading into its trip to Spokane this weekend.

Up Next

Fox faces Whitworth in a three-game set on the road on Mar. 26 & 27.