NEWBERG, Ore. -- The George Fox baseball team came from behind to snag the lead in the eighth inning, but lost in the ninth to Linfield on a two-out rally from the Wildcats.

How It Happened
The Wildcats struck first, putting up two unearned runs in the third inning to take a 2-0 lead before a fourth-inning Jeremy Sangalang RBI single put the Bruins on the board. After four innings, the score remained 2-1 in favor of the Wildcats. 

In the sixth, Fox found themselves in another hole — after the Wildcats loaded the bases, they managed to score two on a fielder's choice and a sacrifice fly. GFU found a way out of the inning after that, stranding two runners, but found themselves down, 4-1.

The Bruins got one run back in the seventh inning with pinch-runner Mason Eastman scoring on a fielder's choice. Caleb Debban got out of the top half of the eighth clean, striking out two in the one-two-three frame. Fox then put together a stellar eighth inning for the second day in a row. 

While it wasn't as impressive as their grand-slam-producing spectacle of an eighth from yesterday, the Bruins still managed to make some magic happen — taking the lead in the eighth inning. Fox loaded the bases with a single and two walks before Spencer Roos put the ball in play and allowed Sangalang to score on a fielder's choice. Eastman hit a sacrifice fly two batters later, and the Bruins worked two walks to score their third and final run of the inning. The frame ended with Fox on top, 5-4.

Linfield wasn't done either though, and they managed to put up three runs on Bruins reliever Alex Abbott, two of which came on a bases-clearing double. Fox was unable to respond in the final at-bats, as they stranded a runner. The final score was 7-5; GFU lost the series against Linfield two games to one.

Top Performers
Spencer Roos went 2-5 with an RBI double. Jonathan Stone ended his impressive series by going 2-3 and picking up another RBI. Starting pitcher Ben Wills went five innings, allowing four runs and striking out four.

What It Means
George Fox falls to 5-6 (1-2 NWC), and Linfield improves to 4-5 (2-1 NWC).

What Comes Next
Fox travels to Pacific next weekend, playing a three-game series in Forest Grove against the Boxers. First pitch on Saturday is at 11 am.