NEWBERG, Ore. --- George Fox softball split its series-opening doubleheader against Lewis & Clark with a 6-0 in game one and a narrow 5-4 loss in game two.
Game One
Ashley Davis pitched her fourth complete-game shutout of 2022 and got plenty of run support in her outing, allowing just three hits and striking out eight in the victory.
Fox scored first with an early run in the first after Sydney Sandifer singled home Kamryn Potter for what became the winning run. Fox added another in the third after Potter reached base after wearing a pitch and scored from second after a Pios error in the outfield turned a routine flyout into a scoring chance.
With Davis still spinning a shutout, Fox scored another in the fourth after another Pio error and an RBI double from Potter pushed in Brook Riggins for a 3-0 lead. Singles from Sandifer and Kimberly Pulido in the fifth each turned into scores after a Pio error, a bloop double for Riggins, and a bunt RBI single from Emma Classen. One more insurance run for Fox crossed the plate after Potter singled, Claire Fountain wore a pitch, and two fielders' choice plays pushed Potter across for the 6-0 win.
Game Two
The Bruins put Elise Wilkinson in the circle to start game two and replaced her with Emma Eastman in the third before putting Davis back in the circle to close the game. Eastman earned the decision after allowing three earned runs on three hits, three walks, and a hit batter. Davis struck out two in an inning and two thirds to keep it close.
The Pios scored first with a pair of runs in the second after their starting pitcher supported herself with a two-run shot over the fence in right field. Fox got on the board in the bottom half with a solo shot to left field from Riggins, but the Pios matched that with another run in the third.
The Bruins were able to answer with another solo shot, this time from Fountain, and again the Pios countered with a run in the top of the fourth.
A two-run shot from Tomei tied the ball game in the bottom of the fifth and reset the ball game with two innings left, but the Pios pushed in one more in the top of the sixth and Fox could not match them in their last two turns to bat.
Top Performances
Davis' complete-game shutout deserves a nod, as does Potter's 2-2 effort in game one with three runs and an RBI. Tomei's two-run shot in game two also makes the cut for a second mention here, as do the solo homers for Fountain and Riggins.
What It Means
Fox is 20-10 overall and 12-6 in conference play with 10 games left on the regular season schedule.
Up Next
Fox will try to clinch the series with two games at home on Sunday, Apr. 3, with first pitch in game one set for 11:00 am.
