NEWBERG, Ore. --- Playing for conference tournament seeding and a handful of program milestones, George Fox softball managed to check all the boxes on Friday, Apr. 15, with a doubleheader sweep of fourth-place Whitworth.

With the win in game one, coach Jessica Hollen notched her 300th career victory and is now the fourth-winningest coach in the history of Bruin athletics.

Game One

Elise Wilkinson took a winning effort through six full frames against the Pirates to start the day on strong footing. The freshman southpaw struck out four and only allowed nine baserunners in her outing, giving up one unearned run early before locking in the rest of the way. Ashley Davis came on to save the game with a scoreless seventh and two strikeouts.

On offense the Bruins supported their pitching staff with runs in the second, third, and fifth frames to notch the milestone win for their skipper. Emma Classen drove in Jennifer McCue for a game-tying run in the second before Kamryn Potter and Katie Ladd uncorked solo shots in the third and fifth frames for the 3-1 win. 

Game Two

Davis worked a full game and picked up her 19th win of the year with a two-hitter, nine strikeouts, and just one run allowed in a near-perfect outing after getting plenty of run support in a 6-1 victory.

The Bruins dropped behind early after a solo homer for the Pirates' star second baseman, but only two other Bucs would reach base in the ensuing innings. Claire Fountain answered the Pirates with a two-run shot of her own in the first and put another over the fence in the sixth for good measure. Fountain's first homer was a no-doubter to right center while the second was a chest-level laser that just cleared the fence in left center, giving her four RBI for the game.

Fountain also scored in the third with an RBI single from Sydney Sandifer, and Potter created chaos with a fielder's choice ball in the fourth that plated Brooke Riggins.

Coach's Thoughts

"I can't say enough about the players and assistant coaches that have helped us reach this milestone," says coach Hollen. "From the athletes who bought in before we were winning, to those working hard and giving it their all now - I am am truly blessed to be a Bruin."

What It Means

Fox improves to 28-10 overall with 20 conference victories to solidify its hold on the second seed in the NWC tournament next week, giving them a two-win cushion over no. 3 seed Pacific Lutheran.

Up Next

Fox will finish the regular season with a final doubleheader against the Pirates on Saturday, Apr. 16, at 11 am & 1 pm. The Bruins will also celebrate their senior class following the conclusion of the doubleheader.