NEWBERG, Ore. — The Bruins dusted off their big bats and used nine extra-base hits, including eight homers, to plate 24 runs and sweep their Sunday set against Lewis & Clark to clinch the series.
Game One
Ashley Davis earned her 14th win of the year after working a five-hit, one-run complete game with six innings of effort. The senior struck out three in the win and only walked one in the victory.
The Bruins supported their senior hurler in the circle with 12 runs, including 10 via home runs, and walked off a shortened six-inning matchup with a grand slam from freshman catcher Sydney Sandifer. The rookie catcher had already ripped a three-run shot over the scoreboard in the fifth to make it a 5-1 ball game, and capped the first game with a four-run blast to left center for the 12-1 win. Sandifer's walk-off knock was made possible by another three-run homer hit by Katie Ladd earlier in the sixth inning as Fox plated seven runs in the frame.
Game Two
The Bruins put Davis back in the circle to start the fourth game of the series and the Pios were able to find more contact against the senior in her third complete game of the series, but she was still able to go the distance with her 15th win of the year after seven innings in game two. Davis struck out three more and only allowed three earned runs in the victory.
Kamryn Potter and Sandifer each hit solo home runs in the first for an early 2-0 lead, but the Pios used a two-run shot in the second to tie the ball game at 2-2 in the second.
Ladd answered with a two-run homer of her own to give Fox a 4-2 lead after two innings, but the Bruins' defense struggled through the third and allowed the Pios to tie it again with two unearned runs in the inning.
After a quiet fourth, Fox woke up again on offense and put the game deep in the back of the freezer. Sandifer hit her second grand slam of the day, Ladd hit an RBI bunt single, Sharon Tomei drew and RBI walk, and Claire Fountain ripped a two-run shot out in left field to give Fox the 12-5 final and clinch the series.
Top Performances
Davis' 13 innings and 224 pitches deserve a nod here, and Sandifer's four home runs, two grand slams, a double, five runs scored, and 12 RBI also merit consideration.
Top Performances
"Throwing both games is a feat itself is great, but Ashley faced those hitters a game plus yesterday as well, so figuring out how to make adjustments and still be successful is definitely something she should be proud of," coach Jessica Hollen said of the senior's effort. "Syd had a day and it was fun watching her have success. Hopefully we found our stride a little offensively and can build from here."
What It Means
Fox is now 22-10 on the year with two more conference series left on the docket. At 14-6 in conference, the Bruins are a game above Whitworth in second on the NWC leaderboard with four-game sets against Willamette and Whitworth still left on the schedule.
Up Next
The Bruins travel to face Willamette in a four-game set in Salem next weekend.
