NEWBERG, Ore. --- The Bruins were able to battle back from an early deficit against NCAA DII foe Western Oregon on Tuesday, Mar. 8, but the baseball program wasn't able to hold onto its lead late against the Wolves in an 8-5 home loss.
How It Happened
Both teams pitched the midweek matchup with a bullpen staff approach, and midway through the ballgame WOU led 4-1. The Bruins' offense showed its patience and willingness to wear pitches in the first inning, loading the bags and plating one on missed locations for the Wolves, but WOU scored three in the third and one in the fourth to take the lead.
The Bruins plated one in the fifth on an RBI fielder's choice for Jared Whitaker and two WOU errors in the sixth allowed Jared Miller, Franklin Leonard, and Jayce Lien to score for a 5-4 Bruin lead, but the lead wouldn't hold through the ninth.
Fox made two errors in the field during the eighth inning, allowing three Wolves runs in the process, and was unable to get any of the runs back in the eighth and ninth during its turns at the plate in an 8-5 final that favored WOU.
Top Performances
Miller and Brandon King each reached base safely in three of their five plate appearances, combining for three walks, three hits, and two of the Bruins' five runs. Lien hit .500 on the day with two runs, and Bleu Ellis stole two bags on the day.
On the hill, the quartet of Andrew Sutherland, Austin Hallman, Ryan Watilo, and Noah Meffert gave the Bruins four innings of middle relief without surrendering an earned run.
What It Means
Fox is back to .500 on the year while WOU climbs to 10-7 this season.
Up Next
The Bruins are back at it this weekend with a conference matchup against the Loggers in Tacoma on Saturday and Sunday, Mar. 12 & 13.
